Lawsuits are piling up against the Trump administration over immigration issues, particularly concerning a group of migrants deported to South Sudan. These migrants are currently living in harsh conditions, and their safety is a significant concern.
A recent court filing reveals that nearly a dozen Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials and the deported migrants are being housed in a converted shipping container at a U.S. military base in Djibouti. The situation has raised alarms due to extreme heat, exposure to malaria, and threats from nearby terrorist groups.
Senior ICE official Mellisa Harper submitted the filing, highlighting the dangers faced by both the migrants and the officials. High temperatures exceeding 100 degrees, combined with the risk of malaria and the potential for rocket attacks from Yemen, create a perilous environment. A U.S. District Judge, Brian Murphy, has ordered that eight migrants be kept in U.S. custody until they can have a "reasonable fear interview." This interview is crucial for the migrants to express any fears of persecution if they are returned to their home countries.
The judge’s order came after concerns that these individuals were deported without due process. The filing emphasizes that the current conditions, including a lack of anti-malaria medication and the presence of hazardous waste burning, pose serious health risks. Reports indicate that ICE officials have begun experiencing symptoms like coughing and difficulty breathing shortly after arriving in Djibouti.
Additionally, the migrants are being kept in a shipping container, which is not suitable for long-term detention. The base’s surrounding conditions, including burn pits that create toxic smog, further complicate their situation. Some ICE officers have resorted to wearing N-95 masks to protect themselves from the harmful air quality.
Judge Murphy previously criticized the government for mischaracterizing his orders and noted that the chaos surrounding the deportations was largely self-manufactured. He emphasized that the migrants should not have to remain in South Sudan, a country currently facing internal conflict and humanitarian crises.
The filing may pressure the Trump administration to relocate the migrants and ICE officials to safer conditions. As the situation develops, it remains unclear if any immediate action will be taken to address these urgent health and safety concerns.