US appeals court blocks Trump administration's third-country deportation policy

Court decision

A three-judge panel of the 1st US Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston issued a ruling that largely affirmed a February judgment declaring the Department of Homeland Security’s third-country removal policy unlawful. The judges emphasized that migrants must be provided a meaningful chance to raise safety concerns before being sent to nations with which they have no established ties.

Legal background

The case originates from a class-action lawsuit challenging the due-process rights of migrants facing rapid deportation to third countries. The panel wrote that the administration’s narrower interpretation of the law failed to meet constitutional requirements. While part of the earlier ruling was reversed on procedural grounds regarding the order of removal attempts, the core finding that the policy violates due-process protections remained.

Policy context and next steps

The policy, introduced in March 2025, allowed the United States to deport more than 25,000 migrants to at least 29 third countries, often Mexico, based on diplomatic assurances against persecution. The Trump administration has indicated it will appeal the decision, and the matter could eventually reach the Supreme Court. The Department of Homeland Security has not provided an immediate comment. For the original reporting, see Al Jazeera: Al Jazeera