The Trump administration is taking direct action in a case involving the deportation of several immigrants, whose immigration issues had previously been resolved in court, to South Sudan. After a series of orders from Judge Brian Murphy in the U.S. District Court for Massachusetts and the refusal of a stay pending appeal by the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals, the administration is now appealing directly to the Supreme Court with a stay application submitted on Tuesday.

So…how did we get here? 

Once again, I’ll lean on my colleague Ward Clark to set the stage: 

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It’s important to highlight that the eight individuals involved are not simply undocumented immigrants. They have committed serious crimes, significantly exceeding their unlawful entry. These dangerous individuals have victimized American citizens, and the Trump administration is justified in pursuing their expulsion. However, some of their native countries refuse to accept their return. The selection of South Sudan as a potential destination is indeed unexpected, but presently, it remains uncertain if that is their ultimate destination.