Former President Donald Trump has issued a fierce call to action, urging the Supreme Court to step in and halt what he described as chaos created by the “Radical Left.” His demand came after a Biden-appointed federal judge temporarily blocked the deportation of eight illegal immigrants with violent criminal histories, sparking intense backlash from conservatives and immigration authorities alike.
The controversy stems from a recent ruling by Judge Brian Murphy of the U.S. District Court in Massachusetts, who halted a flight carrying the eight deportees to South Sudan. Judge Murphy claimed the deportation violated his prior order mandating that immigrants be given a chance to challenge removal to a third country on the grounds of personal danger or persecution.
Back in April, Judge Murphy ruled that non-citizens facing deportation must have the opportunity to argue that their removal to any country other than their country of origin poses a risk to their safety. That earlier decision had already stopped deportations to Libya. The latest ruling extends that protection to those being sent to South Sudan, a nation facing ongoing instability and conflict.
During an emergency court hearing, Murphy stated that the individuals on board the flight had not been properly informed of their rights or given a meaningful opportunity to present objections. The judge concluded that deporting them under such circumstances would violate their legal protections, even though all eight had been convicted of serious crimes.
Court documents show that the individuals on the flight had been convicted of offenses including murder, rape of a minor, and other violent crimes. Several of them had final deportation orders dating back over a decade, with some as early as 1999.
The Justice Department, however, pushed back against Murphy’s decision. In legal filings, federal prosecutors argued that each individual had already been through full legal proceedings and had received due process. ICE officials also expressed frustration, noting that the individuals had exhausted their legal options and had been deemed deportable under longstanding immigration law.
Stephen Miller, Deputy Chief of Staff during the Trump administration, reacted strongly to the ruling on social media. “A city judge in Boston has now stopped the deportation of violent illegal alien murderers and child predators,” Miller wrote. “ICE agents are now being forced to supervise these individuals without secure housing while the judge delays their removal.”
According to immigration officials, the flight—en route to South Sudan—was stopped and grounded at a U.S. military base in Djibouti. Judge Murphy has ordered that the eight individuals must now be given at least 72 hours’ notice before any credible fear screenings are conducted. Furthermore, each individual must be provided a 15-day window to reopen their immigration case if they can demonstrate a legitimate fear of persecution.
President Trump responded on his Truth Social platform, writing, “A federal judge in Boston, who knows absolutely nothing about the specific threats these individuals pose, has blocked the deportation of some of the most dangerous criminals on the planet. He has allowed them to remain in Djibouti rather than letting the deportation proceed as planned.”
“This is not the America I was elected to protect,” Trump added. “These judges are completely out of control. They are making decisions that put American lives at risk. This needs to be stopped immediately.”
Judge Murphy also ordered the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide weekly updates on the status of the eight individuals. These reports must include whether the individuals are still in custody, where they are being held, and whether they have access to legal representation and communication services.
ICE’s acting director, Todd Lyons, noted that several of the individuals’ home countries—Cuba, Laos, Mexico, Myanmar, Vietnam, and South Sudan—have either refused to accept them or created diplomatic obstacles to their return.
Judge Murphy defended his decision, stating, “These individuals were not given a meaningful chance to object to being sent to South Sudan, a country they may never have even visited. That is a serious issue of due process.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also criticized the ruling in a briefing with reporters. “Judge Murphy is not the Secretary of State. He is not the Commander-in-Chief. He has no authority over national security or foreign policy,” she said. “This ruling oversteps the boundaries of the judiciary and interferes with the executive branch’s ability to carry out immigration enforcement.”
As the legal battle intensifies, Trump continues to rally supporters and push for higher courts to intervene. With the deportation case now gaining national attention, many are watching to see if the Supreme Court will take action—or if this will become yet another political flashpoint in the ongoing debate over immigration and judicial power.