Rapid deportations to third countries blocked by federal court
A three-judge panel of the Boston-based 1st US Circuit Court of Appeals rejected a Department of Homeland Security policy on September 18 that allowed federal authorities to rapidly deport migrants to third countries without safety hearings. The decision directly halts the immediate removal of non-citizens who face expedited transfer to nations where they hold no citizenship or personal ties.
Federal judges rule expedited removals to third nations violate due process
Under agreements established during the administration, authorities have sent more than 25,000 migrants to at least 29 third countries, including Mexico, Uganda, Equatorial Guinea, Liberia, and the Central African Republic. Under the court’s ruling, federal authorities cannot place individuals on deportation flights to third countries without first providing a procedural mechanism to raise formal claims regarding persecution or torture.
In March 2025, the Department of Homeland Security adopted the expedited deportation framework to target individuals who were subject to final orders of removal but had been granted protections in immigration court against being returned to their native countries.
