US Court Blocks Controversial Deportation Plan to Libya

In a significant ruling, a US judge intervened to prevent the deportation of migrants to Libya, highlighting serious concerns surrounding the Trump administration's immigration policies.

A US District Court judge in Boston has issued a temporary injunction against the Trump administration's intention to deport migrants to Libya, marking a crucial intervention in ongoing debates surrounding immigration control and human rights protections. This decision came after US officials revealed plans to begin deportations to Libya as part of a broader crackdown on immigration.

The Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh publicly rejected the idea of accepting deported migrants, insisting through a statement on X that Libya would not be a destination for such actions under any circumstances. In response to the deportation talks, a spokesperson for the US State Department refrained from commenting, maintaining silence on the issue.

According to the officials speaking to CBS News, the US military could potentially initiate deportation flights to Libya as early as this week, triggering a wave of criticism due to the country's ongoing turmoil, marked by conflict and unrest for over a decade. The US government, citing grave concerns about crime and terrorism, has routinely discouraged Americans from traveling to Libya.

In light of the potential deportations, immigration attorneys rushed to secure a legal barrier against the plan, filing an emergency request with the court on Wednesday. Their legal brief highlighted credible intelligence indicating that deportation flights were ready to commence, urging Judge Brian Murphy to halt the execution of these deportations.

Responding to this legal challenge, Judge Murphy reaffirmed that the deportation order violated previous court rulings that protect migrants' rights to due process. He underscored that the administration must provide a written notice in the migrants' native language and allow them a meaningful opportunity to contest their deportation claims.

When questioned about the deportation initiative, President Donald Trump claimed ignorance of the detailed operations, directing inquiries toward the Department of Homeland Security. The administration's strategy includes outreach to several countries willing to accept deported individuals, with Rwanda and others like Benin, Angola, and Moldova reportedly in discussions about similar arrangements.

The extent of proposed deportations to Libya remains unclear, including the specific regions migrants would be sent to, as the country is fragmented into two territories—one controlled by a UN-backed government led by Dbeibeh and the other under the command of military leader Gen. Khalifa Haftar.

As the administration pushes forward with a robust crackdown on illegal immigration—including controversial tactics like offering financial incentives to migrants willing to voluntarily leave—legal experts and advocates maintain a vigilant watch for further developments that could impact migrant rights and safety amid growing unrest.