The controversy stems from a recent ruling by Judge Brian Murphy of the U.S. District Court in Massachusetts, who halted a flight carrying the eight deportees to South Sudan. Judge Murphy claimed the deportation violated his prior order mandating that immigrants be given a chance to challenge removal to a third country on the grounds of personal danger or persecution.

Back in April, Judge Murphy ruled that non-citizens facing deportation must have the opportunity to argue that their removal to any country other than their country of origin poses a risk to their safety. That earlier decision had already stopped deportations to Libya. The latest ruling extends that protection to those being sent to South Sudan, a nation facing ongoing instability and conflict.

During an emergency court hearing, Murphy stated that the individuals on board the flight had not been properly informed of their rights or given a meaningful opportunity to present objections. The judge concluded that deporting them under such circumstances would violate their legal protections, even though all eight had been convicted of serious crimes.