Overview

• At least a dozen migrants from countries including Myanmar, Vietnam, and Laos were deported to South Sudan, a nation in armed conflict, on May 20, 2025.
• The deportations appear to violate a court order issued by U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy requiring due process before removing migrants to third countries.
• Attorneys have filed emergency motions demanding the immediate return of the deported migrants and an injunction to block further third-country deportations.
• Judge Murphy has indicated the deportations may constitute criminal contempt and is evaluating potential legal sanctions against the Trump administration.
• The U.S. State Department has warned against travel to South Sudan due to ongoing violence, crime, and instability, highlighting the severe risks faced by the deported migrants.