Trump administration's 'third country' deportation policy is unlawful, judge rules

"These are our laws, and it is with profound gratitude for the unbelievable luck of being born in the United States of America that this Court affirms these and our nation's bedrock principle: that no 'person' in this country may be 'deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.'"

"Murphy said migrants challenging the Department of Homeland Security's policy have the right to 'meaningful notice' and an opportunity to object before they are removed to a third country. The policy 'extinguishes valid challenges to third-country removal by effecting removal before those challenges can be raised,' the judge concluded."

"In June, the Supreme Court's conservative majority found that immigration officials can quickly deport people to third countries. Liberal justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented, saying the ruling gives the government special treatment."

U.S. District Judge Brian E. Murphy in Massachusetts ruled that the Trump administration's policy of deporting immigrants to third countries where they have no connections is unlawful. The judge determined that migrants have the right to meaningful notice and an opportunity to object before removal to a third country. Murphy found the policy unconstitutional because it removes people before legal challenges can be raised, violating due process protections. The ruling was suspended for 15 days to allow government appeal. This decision comes after the Supreme Court's conservative majority previously ruled in favor of immigration officials' authority to deport people to third countries, with liberal justices dissenting.

Read at ABC7 Los Angeles