Trump admin tells court it is working to charter flight back from Guatemala
The Trump administration recently announced that they are working to charter a plane to return an immigrant from Guatemala who was deported in March without due process and despite fears of persecution. This individual, known only as O.C.G., is set to be brought back to the U.S. following a federal court order.
Last week, U.S. District Court Judge Brian Murphy ruled that O.C.G. was deported to Mexico without proper due process and ordered the administration to secure his return to the United States. This marks a significant development as it is the first known instance of the Trump administration complying with a federal court’s order to return a migrant who was deported based on erroneous information.
The Justice Department informed the court that ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Phoenix Field Office is currently coordinating with ICE Air to bring O.C.G. back to the U.S. on an Air Charter Operations (ACO) flight return leg. This update comes after Judge Murphy rejected a request from the Department of Homeland Security to amend his order, emphasizing the lack of due process in O.C.G.’s deportation.
O.C.G. was previously held for ransom and raped in Mexico, yet he was not given the opportunity to assert his fears of persecution before his removal. Judge Murphy highlighted the importance of providing migrants with a chance to seek protection from removal if they have reasonable fears of persecution or torture in another country.
Overall, this case underscores the necessity of upholding due process rights for all individuals, regardless of their immigration status. The Trump administration’s efforts to return O.C.G. to the U.S. demonstrate a commitment to rectifying past mistakes and ensuring that justice is served. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
