ICE Told Detainees They Were Going to Louisiana, Landed in Africa

Key Takeaways

• In July 2025, ICE deported 8 immigrants with criminal convictions to South Sudan instead of Louisiana, their told destination.
• Only one deportee was South Sudanese; others were from Myanmar, Vietnam, Cuba, and Mexico, raising legal concerns.
• Advocates urge affected detainees to seek legal aid and challenge removals to unsafe third countries immediately.

In early July 2025, a major incident involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) drew national and international attention. Eight immigrants, all with serious criminal convictions, were told by ICE that they would be transferred to Louisiana. Instead, their flight landed in South Sudan, a country in Africa currently experiencing armed conflict and a refugee crisis. This event has raised serious questions about U.S. immigration enforcement practices, legal rights for detainees, and the safety of those being deported. Here is a detailed update on what has changed, who is affected, what actions are required, and the broader implications for pending immigration cases.

Summary of What Changed

The most significant change is the way ICE handled the removal of these eight immigrants. Instead of transferring them within the United States 🇺🇸, as they were told, ICE flew them to South Sudan. This marks a shift in how the agency uses its authority to remove individuals whose home countries refuse to accept them. The use of a “safe third country” for deportation is not new, but sending non-South Sudanese nationals to South Sudan is highly unusual and controversial.

Who Is Affected

• The Eight Immigrants: These individuals were originally from Myanmar, Vietnam, Cuba, Mexico, and South Sudan. Only one was a South Sudanese citizen; the others had no ties to the country.
• Families and Legal Representatives: The families of those deported, as well as their attorneys, were not informed of the true destination until after the flight had landed in Africa.
• Other Detainees: Immigrants currently in ICE custody, especially those with serious criminal convictions and whose home countries will not accept them, may now face similar removals to third countries.
• Advocacy Groups and Legal Aid Organizations: Groups working to protect immigrant rights are directly involved, challenging the legality and morality of these removals.
• U.S. Immigration System: The incident sets a precedent that could affect how ICE handles future cases where repatriation to the home country is not possible.

Effective Dates

• Incident Date: The flight to South Sudan took place in early July 2025.
• Public Disclosure: The story became public on July 8–9, 2025, following media reports and confirmation by advocacy groups.
• Official Confirmation: Federal officials confirmed the deportation to South Sudan on May 20, 2025.

Required Actions

For those directly affected and for others who may face similar situations, several immediate steps are recommended:

• Legal Representation: If you or someone you know is in ICE custody and at risk of removal to a third country, contact a qualified immigration attorney immediately. Legal aid organizations such as the American Immigration Council and the National Immigration Litigation Alliance can provide assistance.
• Monitor Court Orders: Attorneys and advocates should closely monitor any court orders related to detainee transfers, especially those involving removal to countries other than the detainee’s country of origin.
• Request Information: Families and legal representatives should request written notice of any planned transfers or removals from ICE. This can help ensure transparency and allow for timely legal challenges if necessary.
• File Emergency Motions: If there is a risk of removal to a dangerous country, attorneys can file emergency motions in federal court to halt the deportation and demand humane treatment for their clients.
• Contact Advocacy Groups: Organizations focused on immigrant rights can offer support, help raise public awareness, and connect affected individuals with legal resources.

Implications for Pending Applications

This incident has several important implications for immigrants with pending applications or those currently in detention:

• Increased Risk of Third-Country Removal: ICE may use its authority to remove individuals to countries other than their own, especially if the home country refuses repatriation. This risk is higher for those with serious criminal convictions.
• Uncertainty About Destinations: ICE may not always disclose the true destination of a removal flight, citing security and operational reasons. This creates uncertainty and makes it harder for legal representatives to protect their clients’ rights.
• Legal Challenges: Ongoing court cases may change how ICE can use “safe third country” removals in the future. Pending applications could be affected by new legal precedents or policy changes.
• Human Rights Concerns: Sending people to countries where they have no ties and may face danger raises serious human rights and legal issues. This could lead to further court challenges and policy reviews.

Step-by-Step Breakdown of the Incident

1. Detention: The eight immigrants were held in a Texas detention facility. All had been convicted of serious crimes, including murder, attempted murder, robbery, and sexual assault.
2. Notification: ICE told the detainees they would be transferred to Louisiana, a common location for immigration detention and processing.
3. Flight: Instead of flying to Louisiana, ICE placed the detainees on a chartered flight that landed in South Sudan. ICE Air Operations, which manages such flights, is responsible for these transfers.
4. Legal Challenge: Attorneys for the detainees filed emergency motions in federal court, arguing that the removals violated court orders and due process rights.
5. Court Order: U.S. District Court Judge Brian E. Murphy ordered the administration to keep the detainees in custody and treat them humanely, expressing concern about their abrupt removal to a conflict zone.
6. Press Conference: DHS officials confirmed the removals, stating that South Sudan may not be the “final destination” for the immigrants, even though court documents listed South Sudan as the endpoint.
7. Public Statement: The White House defended the removals, with spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt stating that President Trump is committed to removing individuals convicted of serious crimes, especially when their home countries refuse to accept them.

Policy Background and Legal Context

• Immigration and Nationality Act: This law allows the United States 🇺🇸 to remove immigrants to a “safe third country” if their home country will not accept them. However, the definition of “safe” and the process for selecting the third country are not always clear.
• ICE Air Operations: ICE maintains a fleet of 12 aircraft for deportation flights, with planes based in Arizona, Texas, Louisiana, and Florida. These flights are used for both routine and high-risk removals.
• Countries of Origin: In this case, only one of the eight deported individuals was a citizen of South Sudan. The others were from Myanmar, Vietnam, Cuba, and Mexico.
• Legal and Human Rights Concerns: Sending non-citizens to a country in active conflict, where they have no legal status or support, raises serious questions about compliance with U.S. and international law.

Quantitative Data and Statistics

• Number of Individuals: 8 immigrants were deported in this incident.
• Countries Involved: South Sudan (destination), Myanmar, Vietnam, Cuba, Mexico (countries of origin for 7 of the 8).
• ICE Air Operations: ICE operates 12 aircraft for deportations, with flights staged from several U.S. locations.

Policy Implications and Practical Effects

• Human Rights Risks: Deporting people to South Sudan, especially those with no ties to the country, puts them at risk due to ongoing conflict and instability.
• Legal Precedent: The use of “safe third country” removals in this way is being challenged in federal court. The outcome could set new rules for how ICE handles similar cases in the future.
• International Relations: The United States 🇺🇸 reportedly reached an agreement with South Sudan or another nation to accept the detainees. This raises questions about how such deals are made and whether they protect the rights and safety of deportees.
• Advocacy Response: Immigrant rights groups and legal advocates are calling for more transparency, better communication with families and attorneys, and strict adherence to due process.

Expert and Stakeholder Perspectives

• Government Position: The administration argues that these removals are necessary for public safety, especially when home countries refuse to take back individuals convicted of serious crimes.
• Legal Experts: Many legal experts believe that sending people to countries where they face grave danger, or where they have no legal status, violates both U.S. and international law.
• Advocacy Groups: Organizations are demanding congressional oversight and independent investigations into ICE’s practices, especially the use of misleading information about transfer destinations.

Future Outlook and Pending Developments

• Court Proceedings: Ongoing lawsuits may lead to new court orders that limit or clarify ICE’s authority to remove individuals to third countries.
• Policy Review: Members of Congress are calling for hearings and a review of ICE Air Operations, especially the use of “safe third country” removals.
• Potential Changes: Depending on the outcome of court cases and political debates, ICE may have to change its procedures for international removals.

Official Resources and Contact Information

• ICE Air Operations: For more information about how ICE conducts deportation flights, visit the ICE Air Operations factsheet.
• DHS Public Affairs: For press inquiries or official statements, contact the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Public Affairs.
• Legal Assistance: Immigrants and their advocates can seek help from the American Immigration Council and the National Immigration Litigation Alliance, both of which provide legal support and resources.

Historical Context

• Pattern of Practice: Since 2024, ICE has increased the use of third-country removals, especially for individuals with serious criminal convictions whose home countries refuse to accept them.
• Escalation in 2025: The July 2025 incident marks a new level of controversy, as it involved misleading detainees about their destination and sending them to a country in active conflict.

Immediate Next Steps for Affected Individuals and Advocates

• Stay Informed: Monitor updates from ICE, DHS, and advocacy organizations about changes in removal policies and procedures.
• Seek Legal Help: If you or someone you know is at risk of removal to a third country, contact a qualified immigration attorney as soon as possible.
• Document Communications: Keep records of all communications with ICE and other officials, including written notices about transfers or removals.
• Engage with Advocacy Groups: Reach out to organizations that can provide support, raise public awareness, and help challenge unjust removals in court.

Key Takeaways

• Transparency and Due Process: The incident highlights the need for clear communication and respect for legal rights in all immigration enforcement actions.
• Legal Uncertainty: Ongoing court cases may change how ICE can use “safe third country” removals, affecting many pending applications.
• Human Rights Concerns: Sending people to countries where they face danger or have no legal status is a serious issue that demands attention from lawmakers, courts, and the public.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, the controversy over the ICE flight to South Sudan has sparked calls for greater oversight, legal reform, and protection of immigrant rights. For the latest official information on ICE Air Operations and deportation procedures, visit the ICE Air Operations factsheet.

By staying informed, seeking legal help, and working with advocacy groups, affected individuals and their families can better protect their rights and respond to sudden changes in immigration enforcement. The outcome of ongoing court cases and policy reviews will shape the future of third-country removals and the rights of immigrants in the United States 🇺🇸.

Learn Today

ICE → U.S. agency enforcing immigration laws, responsible for detaining and deporting unauthorized immigrants.
Safe Third Country → A country deemed safe where immigrants can be deported if their home country refuses them.
Deportation → The formal removal of a foreign national from a country by government authority.
Detainee → An individual held in custody, often pending immigration or criminal proceedings.
Federal Court → A U.S. court with authority to hear cases involving federal laws and constitutional issues.

This Article in a Nutshell

In July 2025, ICE shocked many by deporting eight immigrants to South Sudan instead of Louisiana. This unprecedented move raises serious legal and human rights questions, with ongoing court challenges and calls for transparency. Affected detainees must pursue legal support urgently to protect their rights amid these controversial removals.
— By VisaVerge.com