US judge rules Trump policy of ‘third country’ deportations unlawful
Al Jazeera
February 25, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
A US federal judge has ruled that the Trump administration's policy of rapidly deporting migrants to third countries without giving them a chance to appeal violates due process rights. Judge Brian Murphy declared the policy unconstitutional, stating it is both "not fine" and "illegal." The ruling came in response to a class-action lawsuit filed by immigrants facing deportation to countries they have no ties to, often without proper legal protections or knowledge of their safety upon arrival.
The policy allows the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to deport migrants to third countries quickly, bypassing traditional court proceedings. Murphy highlighted that this approach hides critical details about each case, making it impossible for courts to evaluate the legality of individual deportations. He emphasized that due process is a cornerstone of US law and must be upheld even in immigration cases.
The judge's decision comes amid a broader legal challenge to Trump's immigration policies, which have faced criticism for neglecting due process rights. Some migrants deported under this policy were legally in the US or had pending asylum claims. The ruling marks another setback for the administration's aggressive deportation campaign, though Murphy delayed implementation of his decision for 15 days to allow DHS to appeal.
Murphy has previously opposed similar rapid-deportation practices, including a case where Trump officials sought to send eight men to South Sudan despite human rights concerns. His latest ruling reaffirms the importance of legal safeguards in immigration enforcement and aligns with growing calls to balance national security with constitutional rights.
The outcome could have significant implications for international law and migrants' rights globally. It underscores the need for fair legal proceedings, even when dealing with complex immigration cases. Advocacy groups have praised the decision as a strong defense of due process and a step toward ensuring that no one is deported without their rights being respected.
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Originally published on Al Jazeera on 2/25/2026