Late on the night of July 4th, a deportation flight carrying eight migrants, including Cubans Enrique Arias-Hierro and José Manuel Rodríguez-Quiñones, landed in South Sudan. These individuals had been held at a military base in Djibouti after a judge temporarily halted the deportation process. However, the case advanced to the Supreme Court, which ultimately upheld the deportation order.
"A district judge cannot dictate national security and foreign policy for the United States of America," stated Deputy Secretary Tricia McLaughlin to ABC News, celebrating the decision as a triumph for American security on Independence Day.
ICE's Response to Legal Challenges
The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency, via a tweet, confirmed the deportation on Saturday, criticizing the judges who had delayed the process. The tweet accused these judges of endangering law enforcement by postponing the removal of what it described as "criminal immigrants so barbaric that even their own countries refuse to accept them."
ICE expressed gratitude to their agents for upholding the law and maintaining the safety of American citizens. The tweet also mentioned the challenging conditions both detainees and ICE officers faced at the Djibouti base, as detailed in court documents.
Supreme Court's Decision and Its Implications
The U.S. Supreme Court, predominantly conservative, reversed an earlier decision by federal judge Brian Murphy, who had allowed the migrants to contest their deportation under the possibility of facing torture or imprisonment. Initially, this had led to a temporary halt of the deportation flight in May, diverting it to the naval base in Djibouti. The Supreme Court's ruling lifted the suspension, enabling the flight to proceed to South Sudan, despite warnings from Trina Realmuto of the National Immigration Litigation Alliance about potential immediate detention, torture, or even death upon arrival.
Deputy Secretary McLaughlin praised the Supreme Court's intervention as a win for legal integrity and the safety of the American populace.
The Cuban Nationals Deported
The two Cuban nationals on the flight, Enrique Arias-Hierro and José Manuel Rodríguez-Quiñones, were identified by the Department of Homeland Security. Arias-Hierro, detained by ICE on May 2, 2025, has a history of convictions for murder, armed robbery, impersonating an officer, kidnapping, and burglary. Rodríguez-Quiñones, apprehended on April 30, has been convicted of attempted first-degree murder with a weapon, assault, theft, and illegal canine trafficking. ICE considers both individuals significant threats to national and public safety.
Frequently Asked Questions on Cuban Deportations
Why were the Cuban migrants deported to South Sudan?
The Cuban migrants were deported to South Sudan following a Supreme Court decision that upheld their removal, despite previous legal challenges that temporarily halted the process.
What legal challenges did the deportation face?
The deportation faced a temporary halt by a federal judge who allowed the migrants to contest their transfer due to potential risks of torture or imprisonment. However, the Supreme Court eventually lifted this suspension, allowing the deportation to proceed.
What crimes were Enrique Arias-Hierro and José Manuel Rodríguez-Quiñones convicted of?
Enrique Arias-Hierro was convicted of murder, armed robbery, impersonating an officer, kidnapping, and burglary. José Manuel Rodríguez-Quiñones faced convictions for attempted first-degree murder with a weapon, assault, theft, and illegal canine trafficking.