The White House confirmed on Thursday that a flight with eight immigrants left Texas this week, with press secretary Karoline Leavitt lashing out at a federal judge who said during an emergency hearing the Donald Trump administration was in violation of his earlier injunction.
US District Court judge Brian Murphy had barred the federal government from sending immigrants to countries other than their own.
Also Read: US court says Trump administration may have violated order by sending migrants to South Sudan
The flight, which the deportees' lawyers claimed was headed for South Sudan in Africa, will now remain in the east African country of Djibouti for two weeks to comply with a court order, Leavitt said.
Those onboard are from Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Cuba, Mexico and South Sudan.
Leavitt alleged that judge Murphy's order was an attempt to “bring these monsters back to our country.”
“Now Judge Murphy is forcing federal officials to remain in Djibouti for over two weeks threatening our US diplomatic relationships with countries around the world and putting the agents’ lives in danger by having to be with these illegal murderers, criminals and rapists,” NBC News quoted the White House press secretary as saying during a media briefing.
"The order is a massive judicial overreach. He cannot control the foreign policy or the national security of the United States of America, and to suggest otherwise is being completely absurd," she added.
During Wednesday's hearing, Murphy also ordered that the deported individuals be provided legal counsel and an opportunity to raise their fears.
Additionally, he directed that the eight individuals to be given at least 15 days to reopen immigration proceedings and challenge their deportation in the event the federal government still aims to send them to a third country.
"Without sufficient time to consult an attorney or family members, it was impossible for the immigrants to challenge their deportations to a third country. The actions of the department (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) are unquestionably violative of this court’s order," the judge had ruled.
US District Court judge Brian Murphy had barred the federal government from sending immigrants to countries other than their own.
Also Read: US court says Trump administration may have violated order by sending migrants to South Sudan
The flight, which the deportees' lawyers claimed was headed for South Sudan in Africa, will now remain in the east African country of Djibouti for two weeks to comply with a court order, Leavitt said.
Those onboard are from Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Cuba, Mexico and South Sudan.
Leavitt alleged that judge Murphy's order was an attempt to “bring these monsters back to our country.”
“Now Judge Murphy is forcing federal officials to remain in Djibouti for over two weeks threatening our US diplomatic relationships with countries around the world and putting the agents’ lives in danger by having to be with these illegal murderers, criminals and rapists,” NBC News quoted the White House press secretary as saying during a media briefing.
"The order is a massive judicial overreach. He cannot control the foreign policy or the national security of the United States of America, and to suggest otherwise is being completely absurd," she added.
During Wednesday's hearing, Murphy also ordered that the deported individuals be provided legal counsel and an opportunity to raise their fears.
Additionally, he directed that the eight individuals to be given at least 15 days to reopen immigration proceedings and challenge their deportation in the event the federal government still aims to send them to a third country.
"Without sufficient time to consult an attorney or family members, it was impossible for the immigrants to challenge their deportations to a third country. The actions of the department (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) are unquestionably violative of this court’s order," the judge had ruled.
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