South Sudan deportations have placed migrants— and ICE officials— in danger, Trump admin says

A group of migrants deported to South Sudan by the Trump administration are currently facing dire conditions in a converted shipping container, along with nearly a dozen ICE officials who are also being housed there. The situation, detailed in a new court filing by senior ICE official Mellisa Harper, highlights the grave dangers to their physical health.

Harper’s filing points to a combination of extreme heat conditions, exposure to malaria, and the imminent threat of rocket attacks from terrorist groups in Yemen as major risks to both the migrants and ICE officials. The filing comes after U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy ordered the Trump administration to keep a group of eight migrants in U.S. custody after they were deported to South Sudan without due process.

The migrants, along with ICE officials, are currently being housed in a converted Conex shipping container at the U.S. military base in Djibouti, the only permanent U.S. military base in Africa. Daily temperatures in Djibouti have exceeded 100 degrees, creating searing conditions that are especially challenging for long-term detention.

In addition to the extreme heat, the group is also exposed to hazardous materials from burn pits used by Djibouti to dispose of trash and human waste. The smog cloud created by the burn pits hangs over the base, posing additional health risks to those housed there.

ICE officials have reported feeling ill within 72 hours of arriving in Djibouti, with symptoms including coughing, difficulty breathing, and achy joints. However, they lack the necessary testing and medication for treatment. The group is also at risk of rocket attacks from terrorist groups in Yemen, with ICE officers lacking appropriate gear for protection in case of an attack.

The filing puts pressure on the Trump administration to relocate the detainees and ICE officials to safer conditions. Judge Murphy had previously stated that migrants deported to South Sudan need not be held there, emphasizing the need for proper procedures to determine any fears of persecution or torture.

It remains unclear whether the government has plans to relocate the group to ensure their safety and well-being. The situation highlights the challenges faced by migrants and officials in a volatile region, underscoring the importance of ensuring their protection and human rights.