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Jan 22, 2026

Trump Admin Can Swiftly Deport Illegal Migrants to Third Countries: Court

A federal appeals court ruled Monday that the Trump administration can continue deporting migrants to third countries — nations where they may not have prior ties — while a legal challenge to the policy proceeds. The decision came in a 2-1 vote by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. The panel did not provide a written explanation for its ruling but moved to expedite the next phase of the case.

As part of its broader immigration enforcement strategy, the administration has expanded the use of “third country removals,” reaching agreements with countries including Cameroon, South Sudan and Eswatini to accept deportees.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has defended the policy, saying it is intended to remove individuals it describes as posing serious public safety concerns. In court filings, administration attorneys have also argued that federal judges lack the authority to block the policy, The Hill reported.

The majority on the appellate panel included Judge Jeffrey Howard, who was appointed by former President George W. Bush, and Judge Seth Aframe, appointed by former President Joe Biden. Judge Lara Montecalvo, also a Biden appointee, dissented.

The ruling lifts restrictions that had been imposed on the policy by U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy, a Biden appointee who is overseeing a class-action lawsuit filed last year by four noncitizens.

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