The Trump administration has reportedly deported at least 12 Asians to South Sudan in a move that defies a court order, according to the detainees' lawyers. The deportees, who are from Vietnam and Myanmar, were sent to Juba without the assistance of interpreters, despite the fact that some of them do not speak English fluently.
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This action has raised concerns among human rights advocates and legal experts, as it appears to be in direct contradiction to a federal court order issued last year that was intended to prevent such deportations. The order had been put in place to allow for a fuller consideration of the asylum claims made by these individuals, especially given the potentially life-threatening conditions they may face upon return to their countries of origin.
The group included two Vietnamese men who had lived in the United States for more than 15 years and had criminal convictions, as well as a Rohingya Muslim man from Myanmar who had been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for over two years. The Rohingya, a persecuted minority in Myanmar, have been facing a humanitarian crisis with many having been forced to flee to Bangladesh.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which represents some of the individuals affected, has condemned the move, stating that it is a "flagrant disregard for the safety and well-being of these individuals." The ACLU is preparing to take legal action to bring them back to the U.S. and ensure that they are not sent to any other dangerous locations.
This incident underscores the ongoing tension between the Trump administration's hardline immigration policies and the legal system that is attempting to uphold the rights of asylum seekers and migrants. The administration has been criticized for its aggressive approach to immigration enforcement, including the separation of families at the U.S.-Mexico border, the travel ban on several predominantly Muslim countries, and the implementation of the "remain in Mexico" policy for asylum seekers.
The fate of the deportees remains uncertain, as they are now in a country facing its own civil war and humanitarian crisis. Advocates for refugee rights are urging the U.S. government to reconsider its policies and to adhere to international laws that protect refugees and asylum seekers from being returned to places where they may face persecution or danger.