In a big decision, a US federal judge ruled on Wednesday (Feb 25) that the Trump administration policy of deporting undocumented immigrants to countries that are not their own is “unlawful.” District Judge Brian Murphy announced the verdict on "third-country deportations" but put his ruling on hold for 15 days to allow the government to file an appeal. Notably, the district judge Murphy is an appointee of Democratic president Joe Biden, previously sought to block the deportation of a group of migrants to war-torn South Sudan but was overruled by the conservative-dominated Supreme Court. It must also be noted that in June 2025, the Supreme Court had temporarily allowed these deportations even as legal proceedings were ongoing in lower courts.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/donald-trump-defends-his-top-general-tensions-over-iran-building-up-1772009953093/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/donald-trump-defends-his-top-general-tensions-over-iran-building-up-1772009953093/embed</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;Trump, during his campaign for US presidential elections had promised to take action against undocumented immigrants. After coming to power, his administration has also targeted those immigrants who were granted protection from being sent to their home countries due to fears of persecution. The US has reportedly reached agreements with nearly a dozen nations to accept deportees. Moreover, the US has also paid approximately $32 million to five countries namely El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, Eswatini, and Palau to accept roughly 300 deportees.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-sotu-2026-record-speech-omits-china-1772024620902">Trump’s 2026 State of the Union address skips China, first time since 2005</a><h2>What is the judgement?</h2>In the judgement, Murphy noted, "This case is about whether the Government may, without notice, deport a person to the wrong country, or a country where he is likely to be persecuted, or tortured. The Department of Homeland Security has said it is "fine" to deport a migrant to a third country so long as DHS knows they will not be shot on arrival. It is not fine, nor is it legal." The judge also highlighted the concern that these people when deported to countries where they lived would be in danger or they could be subjected to torture. Murphy asked how a person is being deported only on the basis of &nbsp;“'assurances” that no persecution or torture will happen when they arrive.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-keeps-world-guessing-on-iran-plans-ukraine-negotiations-1772074345168">Trump keeps world guessing on Iran plans, Ukraine negotiations</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

A US judge ruled Trump-era third-country deportations unlawful, citing due process concerns. Judge Brian Murphy said migrants cannot be sent to unfamiliar or dangerous countries without notice. The ruling is on hold for 15 days to allow the government to appeal.

In a big decision, a US federal judge ruled on Wednesday (Feb 25) that the Trump administration policy of deporting undocumented immigrants to countries that are not their own is “unlawful.” District Judge Brian Murphy announced the verdict on "third-country deportations" but put his ruling on hold for 15 days to allow the government to file an appeal. Notably, the district judge Murphy is an appointee of Democratic president Joe Biden, previously sought to block the deportation of a group of migrants to war-torn South Sudan but was overruled by the conservative-dominated Supreme Court. It must also be noted that in June 2025, the Supreme Court had temporarily allowed these deportations even as legal proceedings were ongoing in lower courts. https://www.wionews.com/videos/donald-trump-defends-his-top-general-tensions-over-iran-building-up-1772009953093/embed Trump, during his campaign for US presidential elections had promised to take action against undocumented immigrants. After coming to power, his administration has also targeted those immigrants who were granted protection from being sent to their home countries due to fears of persecution. The US has reportedly reached agreements with nearly a dozen nations to accept deportees. Moreover, the US has also paid approximately $32 million to five countries namely El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, Eswatini, and Palau to accept roughly 300 deportees. Also Read: Trump’s 2026 State of the Union address skips China, first time since 2005 What is the judgement? In the judgement, Murphy noted, "This case is about whether the Government may, without notice, deport a person to the wrong country, or a country where he is likely to be persecuted, or tortured. The Department of Homeland Security has said it is "fine" to deport a migrant to a third country so long as DHS knows they will not be shot on arrival. It is not fine, nor is it legal." The judge also highlighted the concern that these people when deported to countries where they lived would be in danger or they could be subjected to torture. Murphy asked how a person is being deported only on the basis of “'assurances” that no persecution or torture will happen when they arrive. Also Read: Trump keeps world guessing on Iran plans, Ukraine negotiations

A US judge ruled Trump-era third-country deportations unlawful, citing due process concerns. Judge Brian Murphy said migrants cannot be sent to unfamiliar or dangerous countries without notice. The ruling is on hold for 15 days to allow the government to appeal.

US judge rules Trump's 'third country' deportations 'not legal' but pauses order for 15 days: What's happening

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US judge rules Trump's 'third country' deportations 'not legal' but pauses order for 15 days: What's happening