Overview
- Chief Judge Shelly Dick issued an Oct. 23 temporary restraining order barring Chanthila “Shawn” Souvannarath’s removal after finding a “substantial” derivative citizenship claim.
- His attorneys say he was flown to Dongmakkhai, Laos, and he messaged his wife from there; the ACLU calls the action a “stunning violation” of the order.
- Homeland Security official Tricia McLaughlin says there “was no mistake,” citing a 2006 removal order and 2004 convictions, and says the TRO was served after his plane had departed.
- DHS has indicated it does not plan to return him to the U.S., while his legal team says it is exploring options to secure his return.
- Souvannarath was detained in June and held at the new ICE facility at Louisiana State Penitentiary’s Camp 57, a transfer and detention regime that advocates say hinders access to courts and counsel.