Controversial Deportation: Alabama Man Sent to Laos After Court Order

Thu Oct 30 2025 16:56:50 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Chanthila \"Shawn\" Souvannarath, a man who claimed U.S. citizenship, was deported to Laos despite an active court order to halt his removal. His case has sparked outrage and legal challenges.

Chanthila \"Shawn\" Souvannarath, a 44-year-old residing in Alabama, was deported to Laos despite a federal court order blocking his removal. The Department of Homeland Security claims the order was not served to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) prior to the deportation. Souvannarath's legal team argues the deportation is unlawful, as he was purportedly entitled to U.S. citizenship through his father's status as a naturalized citizen. The ACLU is challenging the deportation in court, highlighting the ongoing contradictions in U.S. immigration enforcement.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deported Chanthila “Shawn” Souvannarath to Laos last Friday, even after a federal judge in Baton Rouge issued a court order preventing the action, indicating Souvannarath had a substantial claim of U.S. citizenship.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported that the judge's order was not communicated to ICE until after Souvannarath's deportation had occurred. DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin emphasized that there was no 'mistake' regarding the timeline.

The 44-year-old was born in a Thai refugee camp and has spent most of his life in the United States. His deportation represents an ongoing tension between immigration enforcement and judicial rulings, as well as the dilemma of individuals claiming citizenship rights.

Represented by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Souvannarath’s attorneys have filed a request to U.S. District Judge Shelly Dick for his immediate return, labeling the deportation as unlawful.

Souvannarath’s story encapsulates a complex narrative of immigration in America, where individuals with potential claims to citizenship are caught in a convoluted legal system. He had been taken into custody after an annual check-in with ICE, where two of his five children were present.

Despite a troubling history including convictions for serious crimes over 20 years ago, Souvannarath has maintained a stable best efforts to lead a productive life in Alabama since those incidents. His wife, Beatrice, describes him as a hardworking individual who stayed out of trouble for years.

Legal representatives from the ACLU are alarmed, stating, 'ICE has acted in direct opposition to a federal court order, which should disturb everyone,' and emphasize the broader implications of this case for immigration policies and individual rights.

As debates about immigration enforcement continue, Souvannarath's deportation reflects many of the challenges faced by individuals entangled within the U.S. immigration system, prompting discussions on both legality and humanity in enforcement actions.