Supreme Court Overrules District Court on Deportation Orders

The Supreme Court has dismissed a district court judge’s attempt to sidestep an order enabling the Trump administration to restart deportations from third countries.

On June 23, the Supreme Court acted swiftly, allowing the removal of illegal immigrants. However, Judge Brian Murphy, appointed by Biden, argued that an order preventing the deportation of eight individuals to South Sudan was still active.

In a 7-2 ruling, the Supreme Court determined on Thursday that Murphy had breached the order. They asserted that the “only power” he referenced was unfounded.

The majority noted, “The orders from June 23 have fully upheld the preliminary injunction from April 18. We cannot utilize the May 21 corrective order to enforce an injunction that makes the stay unenforceable.”

Previously, the Trump administration requested clarification from the Supreme Court, criticizing Murphy’s actions as an “unprecedented rebellion” against the authority of the High Court. They characterized his ruling as “lawless” and detrimental to important diplomatic relations, undermining legitimate efforts to manage deportations.

Even Justice Elena Kagan, who disagreed with the initial ruling, conceded that lower courts shouldn’t continue blocking deportations. “I voted against the government’s earlier request for a stay in this case. This court still holds that the government shouldn’t be able to pause the April 18 order, which seeks to send non-citizens back to third countries and provide them with notices and real chances. Yet, the majority sees matters differently. I’m unsure how the district court can adhere to the order this court has remained under.”

Justice Sonia Sotomayor, supported by Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, expressed dissent, stating that the government “should not expel non-citizens to countries where they may face torture or death.”

Sotomayor argued, “The district courts had little choice but to arrive at the opposite conclusion, given that the majority effectively upheld an outdated order. Plus, the district court had very limited time to make a decision, particularly since eight non-citizens’ safety and lives were at stake.”