A group of 11 Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers and eight migrant detainees are stuck in a converted shipping container in Djibouti, a country on the Horn of Africa.
Their plight follows a federal judge’s ruling that blocked the Trump administration from deporting immigrants to third-party countries without providing due process.
The situation, which is described as harsh and hazardous, has raised concerns about the conditions the group is being subjected to and the legal implications surrounding their forced detention.
The Stranding in Djibouti
The group of ICE officers and detainees, including migrants from Cuba, Laos, Mexico, Myanmar, and Vietnam, was initially on a flight bound for South Sudan. However, they were diverted to Djibouti, where they have been stuck for over two weeks after a federal judge ruled that deporting individuals to third-party countries violates their rights.
According to Melissa Harper, a senior ICE official, the group is currently housed in a converted shipping container at the U.S. Navy base in Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. She described the container as the only viable option to house the detainees.
The conditions at Camp Lemonnier are incredibly harsh. Temperatures regularly exceed 100°F, and at night, burn pits are ignited nearby to dispose of trash and human waste, creating an overwhelming smog that lingers over the base.
Defense officials also warned the group of the risk of rocket attacks from terrorist groups operating in Yemen, adding to the stress and fear they’re already experiencing.
Health Concerns and Medical Conditions
The extreme conditions have taken a toll on the health of both the ICE officers and the migrants. Harper reported that several individuals have fallen ill, experiencing symptoms that include upper respiratory infections within just 72 hours of their arrival.
Although the Department of Defense has reportedly provided medications like antibiotics, pain relievers, and allergy treatments, there are concerns about the adequacy of medical care.
The migrants, who are being held in the shipping container, are particularly vulnerable. Trina Realmuto, an attorney for the detainees, raised concerns about their welfare, especially if they’re being shackled while being held in such harsh conditions.
Legal Violations and Due Process
Lawyers for the detained migrants argue that their rights have been violated. The federal judge had ordered that migrants be given 15 days to contest their deportations, but they were given only hours before being forcibly removed from the U.S.
The migrants were flown out of the country in violation of the judge’s orders, and the flight, initially destined for South Sudan, was redirected to Djibouti.
There are also questions surrounding the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) actions. It remains unclear whether DHS attempted to deport the migrants to their countries of origin before settling on South Sudan. Federal law prohibits the deportation of individuals to countries where they might face persecution or danger, so this decision raises legal concerns.
It is also uncertain why ICE continued to hold the group in Djibouti instead of returning them to the U.S. for their required hearings. This decision has prompted frustration and confusion, especially when the group could have been given the proper legal processes on American soil.
ICE’s Response and Criticism of the Judge
In response to the situation, DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin expressed anger over the judge’s decision on social media.
McLaughlin accused U.S. District Judge Brian E. Murphy of putting the lives of ICE officers at risk by stranding them in Djibouti without sufficient resources, medical care, and safety.
She also claimed that the eight migrants in question were “convicted criminals” with final deportation orders, who were so dangerous that no other country would accept them.
McLaughlin’s comments have sparked further debate over the ethical and legal ramifications of the deportation process, especially in relation to the rights of detainees.