A federal judge in the United States has warned the government that deporting migrants to countries like Libya or Saudi Arabia without giving them proper notice and a chance to respond would go against a court order already in place.
The warning comes after news reports suggested that the Trump administration was planning to deport a group of undocumented migrants to Libya using a U.S. military aircraft.
Judge Says Deportation Without Notice Violates Court Order
Judge Brian Murphy had earlier ruled that the U.S. government cannot deport migrants to a country other than their own unless they first receive written notice and a chance to contest the move.
On Wednesday, he reaffirmed his position in a legal filing, saying:
“If there is any doubt — the Court sees none — the allegedly imminent removals… would clearly violate this Court’s Order.”
He also reminded the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that they cannot hand over the responsibility of immigration enforcement to other agencies, such as the Department of Defense, to bypass the court’s ruling.
Reports of Deportation Flights to Libya Raise Concerns
The case gained attention after CNN reported that the Trump administration might deport migrants to Libya, a country currently involved in an ongoing civil conflict. The United Nations and several human rights organizations have previously raised alarms about unsafe conditions and mistreatment of migrants in Libya.
Flight data shows that a U.S. Air Force C-17 plane was scheduled to fly from San Antonio, Texas, to Misrata Airport in Libya. These large aircraft have been used several times in recent months to move migrants out of the U.S.
Migrant Advocates Take Legal Action
Immigrant rights groups quickly filed an emergency legal motion asking the court to:
- Stop any flights carrying migrants to Libya or any country other than their home country.
- Order the return of anyone already deported without proper process.
One lawyer stated that his Filipino client, who had a final order of removal, was told verbally he would be sent to Libya, but was never given any official written notice, which is required under the judge’s order.
Conflicting Reports and Denials
While President Donald Trump did not confirm or deny the reports, telling journalists to “ask Homeland Security”, the White House has not commented publicly on the flight plans.
Meanwhile, the Libyan government has strongly denied that it agreed to accept migrants from the U.S. In a statement, Libya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said:
“There is no agreement or coordination with U.S. authorities regarding the deportation of migrants to Libya.”
The U.S. State Department also refused to confirm or deny any plans, citing diplomatic privacy. However, its website currently carries a Level 4 travel warning for Libya, urging Americans not to travel there due to armed conflict, terrorism, and civil unrest.
Future of Deportation Plans Still Unclear
While no flights to Libya have been officially confirmed, sources say discussions are also happening about sending migrants to other African nations such as Rwanda. However, no plans have been finalized for those routes either.
The situation highlights the growing legal and political tension surrounding the Trump administration’s strict deportation policies, especially when they involve removing people to unstable or dangerous regions.