A federal judge in Boston ruled on Wednesday (Feb. 25) that the Trump administration’s policy of allowing migrants to be quickly deported to third countries without meaningful notice or an opportunity to object is illegal.
U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy declared the policies invalid, saying they violated due process protections. The ruling targets a March 2025 directive enacted as part of President Donald Trump’s crackdown on immigration.
“It’s not OK, it’s not even legal”
Murphy said the policy failed to protect migrants from being sent to an “unknown and potentially dangerous country” without proper safeguards.
The judge wrote that the administration argued that it would be acceptable for immigration officials to deport individuals to third countries unless authorities had specific knowledge of the threat.
“It’s not right, it’s not even legal,” Murphy said in his ruling.
It concluded that migrants subject to the policy are entitled to “meaningful notice and an opportunity to object” before being deported to another country.
The decision was suspended for 15 days pending appeal
Although Murphy put politics aside, he suspended implementation of his decision for 15 days to give the administration time to appeal.
The judge pointed to the Supreme Court’s previous involvement in the dispute, including earlier rulings that overturned a preliminary injunction it had issued and allowed some deportations to proceed.
Politics background
The suit was filed as a class action on behalf of migrants facing deportation to countries not listed in their original deportation orders. The lawsuit cited deportations or potential deportations to countries including South Sudan, El Salvador, Costa Rica and Guatemala.
The administration has argued that the policy is consistent with immigration law and due process requirements, and said it is necessary in cases where migrants’ home countries refuse to accept them, including those convicted of crimes.
The case is likely to reach the Supreme Court
The decision is expected to be appealed and could ultimately be decided by the US Supreme Court.
The decision represents a significant legal setback for the administration’s deportation strategy and sets up a potential constitutional battle over due process rights in immigration enforcement.
