The Trump administration on Sept. 24 asked the Supreme Court to allow continued deportations of migrants to “third countries,” the Associated Press reported, citing the emergency filing in Washington.
The appeal follows a federal appeals court decision that largely upheld a lower-court order blocking the policy, Reuters reported, and the administration asked the high court to pause that ruling while the case proceeds.
The Justice Department told the Supreme Court it needs immediate relief so deportations to countries other than migrants’ homelands can continue, Reuters said, and U.S. officials argue the third-country removals are essential for immigration enforcement.
Lower courts have said people must be given a chance to object before being sent to a country with which they have no ties, the AP reported, and an appeals panel in September largely upheld that requirement.
Legal advocates and some local officials have previously challenged the policy as unlawful, and outlets including Al Jazeera and AP documented earlier rulings that blocked rapid third-country removals in recent months.
What happens next will likely turn on whether the Supreme Court agrees to pause the lower-court order; Reuters reported the administration filed for an immediate stay while it continues its appeal to the justices.
Sources
- Associated Press — reported the administration filed an emergency request with the Supreme Court on Sept. 24.
- Reuters — explained the appeal follows an appeals-court decision and that the government asked the high court to pause the block.
- Al Jazeera — covered the earlier appeals-court rejection of the policy allowing rapid third-country deportations.
