A U.S. federal judge has accused the Trump administration of attempting to bypass immigration laws after Nigerian and Gambian migrants were deported to Ghana under a controversial agreement.
The migrants, who had legal protections preventing their return to their home countries over fears of torture or persecution, were flown from a Louisiana detention center to Ghana, with some reportedly restrained in straitjackets during the 16-hour journey.
Ghana confirmed it had accepted 14 deportees as part of the deal struck with Washington, sparking criticism from opposition lawmakers who demanded parliamentary approval before such an arrangement could take effect.
Judge Tanya Chutkan ordered the administration to explain its efforts to prevent Ghana from sending the migrants back to Nigeria or Gambia, warning that the strategy appeared to be an “end run” around U.S. legal obligations.
The lawsuit, filed by the ACLU and Asian Americans Advancing Justice, said one migrant had already gone into hiding in Gambia, while four others remained in poor conditions at a Ghanaian military-run facility.
The U.S. Justice Department argued the court lacked jurisdiction, citing a Supreme Court ruling permitting removal to third countries, while Homeland Security denied claims that detainees were placed in straitjackets.
