Administration Petitions Supreme Court to Restore Third-Country Deportation Authority

The federal government has petitioned the Supreme Court to stay a lower court ruling that currently blocks the deportation of noncitizens to countries not specified in their original removal orders. This request follows a decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit, which upheld a district court injunction requiring the Department of Homeland Security to provide notice and a meaningful opportunity for individuals to contest removal to third-party nations.

Government filings indicate that the current judicial restrictions have disrupted removal operations, resulting in flight cancellations and increased administrative costs. Officials argue that the lower court rulings disregard jurisdictional limitations regarding judicial review of persecution and torture claims in immigration proceedings.

The administration seeks an immediate administrative stay to resume operations while the Supreme Court considers the merits of the appeal. The court has directed the respondents to submit a formal reply by September 28. This case represents the third time the administration has sought Supreme Court intervention regarding the legality of its third-country removal policy.