In May 2025, President Donald Trump asked the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn a court order preventing the deportations of eight immigrants to South Sudan.
This request represents another chapter in its historic immigration policy focused on aggressive deportations, including to countries with high levels of violence and instability, such as South Sudan.
What is behind this request?
The petition comes after a federal judge in Massachusetts, Brian Murphy, ruled that the Trump administration violated legal protections by attempting the deportations of these individuals without due process.
Of the eight migrants involved, only one is from South Sudan.
The others come from Cuba, Mexico, Laos, Burma and Vietnam.
The Trump administration argued that South Sudan was the only country willing to receive them, since the countries of origin refused repatriation.
In addition, he described immigrants as dangerous criminals.
However, the judge emphasized that sending people to a country where they could face torture or persecution contradicts U.S. immigration laws and international treaties.
Situation in South Sudan
South Sudan continues to face a complex security situation.
According to the U.S . State Department, the country remains on a level 4 alert, which means that all travel should be avoided.
Trump labeled the immigrants as dangerous criminals
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In May 2025, the United States evacuated its non-essential diplomatic personnel due to deteriorating security conditions.
In this context, sending people to this country could put their lives in grave danger.
This situation was key in the decision of Judge Murphy, who allowed the migrants to remain at a military base in Djibouti while their legal status is being resolved.
Mass deportations
Buzzy
Trump’s attempt also revives the debate over bilateral immigration agreements.
During his tenure, an agreement was reached with El Salvador to receive more than 200 migrants sent from the United States to a mega-prison,
They still remain there in questionable conditions and without contact with lawyers or family members.
The agreement, signed with Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, was not made public, but it was learned that it involved a US$6 million payment from the US.
The case has been criticized by human rights organizations due to the lack of transparency and legal guarantees.
The final decision is now in the hands of the Supreme Court.
In the meantime, the migrants involved continue to wait in foreign territory without certainty about their future.
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