Wed Feb 25 23:59:54 UTC 2026: Headline: Judge Rules Trump Administration’s “Third Country” Deportation Policy Unlawful

The Story:
A United States federal judge, Brian Murphy, has ruled that the Trump administration’s policy of rapidly deporting migrants to countries other than their own violates due process rights enshrined in the U.S. Constitution. The ruling, issued on Wednesday, invalidates the policy, which allows for swift deportation without affording migrants the opportunity to appeal their removal. The judge emphasized that individuals cannot be sent to “unfamiliar and potentially dangerous” countries without fair legal proceedings.

The decision stems from a class-action lawsuit brought by immigrants facing deportation to countries they have no ties to. The ruling is the latest legal setback for the Trump administration’s mass deportation campaign, which has been criticized for neglecting due process rights. The judge has given the administration 15 days to appeal the decision, teeing up a possible Supreme Court review.

Key Points:

  • Judge Brian Murphy ruled the Trump administration’s “third country” deportation policy unlawful.
  • The policy allowed for rapid deportation of migrants to countries other than their own without the opportunity for appeal.
  • The ruling is based on the principle of due process, which guarantees fair legal proceedings.
  • The decision is in response to a class-action lawsuit brought by immigrants facing deportation to countries they have no relation to.
  • The administration has 15 days to appeal the ruling, potentially leading to a Supreme Court review.
  • Trina Realmuto from the National Immigration Litigation Alliance, representing the plaintiffs, hailed the ruling as a “forceful statement” about the policy’s constitutionality.

Key Takeaways:

  • The ruling highlights the ongoing legal challenges to the Trump administration’s immigration policies.
  • The concept of due process remains a central point of contention in debates over immigration enforcement.
  • The case could potentially reach the Supreme Court, which has previously overturned some of Judge Murphy’s decisions.
  • The ruling underscores the concerns about the potential for persecution or torture faced by migrants deported to unfamiliar countries.
  • The decision reflects the broader debate over the balance between national security and individual rights in immigration policy.

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