Supreme Court yields to Trump, giving feds free rein on third-country deportations

The Supreme Court on Tuesday sided with the Trump administration, removing a Massachusetts court's requirement that immigrants get a chance to raise fear-based claims before being deported to a third country. The Department of Homeland Security had expanded third-country deportations as part of its broader immigration crackdown, sending tens of thousands of migrants to 35 countries, most to Mexico but some to Libya, El Salvador's mega-prison, and the Central African Republic.

DHS argued the lower court's fear-claim requirement created logistical headaches, pointing to a canceled flight carrying 70 immigrants with criminal convictions to three countries. Federal law bars sending people to countries where they'd face persecution or torture, but DHS guidance allows removal without notice if the receiving country gives diplomatic assurances.

Lawyers for two men deported to Equatorial Guinea under a $7.5 million deal said their clients were beaten and held at gunpoint in a hotel-turned-detention center. Immigrant advocates say the ruling leaves clients facing prolonged detention, beatings, sexual assault, and disappearance.

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