On Wednesday, lawyers representing a number of immigrants filed an urgent motion to a federal judge, seeking to block the Trump administration's plans to deport individuals to countries such as Libya, Saudi Arabia, and others where they are not citizens. This legal action aims to ensure that these immigrants are granted a chance to contest their removals before any deportations take place. The request was presented to Judge Brian E. Murphy in Boston, highlighting the urgency of the situation amidst rising concerns over the treatment of deported individuals.
The lawyers expressed their fears that deportations could occur very soon, citing reports that federal immigration officers were preparing to expel migrants from nations like Vietnam, Laos, and the Philippines to Libya. The emergency motion emphasizes Libya's notorious reputation for severe human rights violations, particularly against migrant residents. The filing also pointed out that the Justice Department had not responded to inquiries regarding these potential removals, further emphasizing the lack of transparency in the process.
In their motion, the lawyers argued that the planned deportations would violate the judge's previous orders, which prohibit the Trump administration from deporting anyone with a final deportation order to a country where they are not a citizen without first providing a “meaningful opportunity” to seek protection in the United States. They asserted that such actions blatantly defy the Court’s preliminary injunctions, which are designed to ensure proper notice and reasonable fear screenings.
The situation escalated over a frantic 24-hour period, during which lawyers for the potential deportees attempted to confirm media reports indicating that preparations for deportations to Libya were underway. In a response to these reports, Libya's rival governments publicly stated on Wednesday that they would refuse any deportations from the United States. This stance indicates a potential diplomatic conflict, as Libya has become a focal point for international migration issues.
Deporting individuals to Libya would represent a significant expansion of the Trump administration's already aggressive deportation program, which has primarily focused on sending migrants to Latin American countries, with fewer instances involving Africa and Central Asia. According to reports, the administration has been considering deporting migrants to Libya for the first time, with military flights potentially set to depart as soon as Wednesday.
Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, the prime minister of the government based in Tripoli, took to social media to assert that Libya would not accept deportees from the U.S. under any circumstances, emphasizing that any agreements made by “illegitimate entities” do not bind the Libyan state. Meanwhile, the eastern Libyan government, led by the general-turned-warlord Khalifa Hifter, also issued a statement rejecting the deportation plans. This public denial from both factions illustrates the complex political landscape within Libya.
The U.S. State Department, Defense Department, and Department of Homeland Security have all declined to comment on the matter and referred inquiries to the White House. A White House official cited security clearance concerns as a reason for the lack of discussion on the deportation plans. When questioned about the reports of a deportation flight to Libya, President Trump stated that he was unaware of the situation and directed inquiries to the Department of Homeland Security.
Deporting individuals to Libya poses significant risks, as the U.S. State Department currently advises against all travel to the country due to the dangers of crime, terrorism, and civil unrest. The conditions in Libyan prisons and detention centers have been described as “harsh and life-threatening,” with immigrants facing a lack of access to courts and due process. Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have condemned the treatment of migrants returned to Libya, labeling it as “hellish.”
Libya's political situation remains deeply divided and fragile, resulting from over a decade of conflict and the absence of a central authority. The United Nations-backed Government of National Accord governs part of the country from Tripoli, while Khalifa Hifter leads the Libyan National Army, which controls significant areas in the east, including vital oil fields. The recent visit of Saddam Hifter, Khalifa's son, to Washington underscores the ongoing diplomatic interactions, although administration officials have stated that discussions did not involve deportations.
