The deportation flight of eight migrants, including Cubans Enrique Arias-Hierro and José Manuel Rodríguez-Quiñones, arrived in South Sudan just before midnight on Friday, July 4.
The eight men had remained at a military base in Djibouti after a judge halted the proceedings, but the case reached the Supreme Court of the United States, which confirmed the deportation on Thursday.
“A district judge cannot dictate the national security and foreign policy of the United States of America (…) This Independence Day marks another victory for the safety of the American people,”
A tweet from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed this Saturday the deportation and criticized the judges who had hindered it.
"After weeks of delays by activist judges who put our law enforcement at risk, ICE deported these 8 barbaric illegal immigrant criminals who are so atrocious that their own countries won't even take them back,” reads the post.
"This was a victory for the rule of law and the security of the American people. We thank our brave ICE agents for their sacrifice in defense of our freedoms," they added.
The text refers to the conditions at the facility where detainees and ICE agents were located, which, according to court documents regarding the case, were challenging for both parties.
Supreme Court Decision
Last Thursday, the Supreme Court of the United States approved the deportation of eight migrants to South Sudan, a war-torn country where none of the deportees have family or historical ties.
The court, with a conservative majority, overturned a previous order by Federal Judge Brian Murphy, who had allowed migrants to challenge their transfer to third countries if they were at risk of suffering torture or imprisonment.
That measure had temporarily halted the deportation flight in May, which was diverted to the naval base in Djibouti, where the eight migrants were held inside a modified container.
The court's order lifted that suspension and allowed the flight to continue to South Sudan, despite warnings that migrants could face "immediate detention, torture, or even death" upon arriving in the African country, as warned by Trina Realmuto, executive director of the National Immigration Litigation Alliance.
The Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security, Tricia McLaughlin, hailed the intervention of the highest court as "a victory for the rule of law, security, and the protection of the American people."
Who are the two Cubans deported to South Sudan?
The Cuban citizens identified on the flight are Enrique Arias-Hierro and José Manuel Rodríguez-Quiñones.
The Department of Homeland Security released brief information indicating that Arias-Hierro was arrested by ICE on May 2, 2025.
He has convictions for homicide, armed robbery, identity impersonation of an official, kidnapping, and burglary.
Rodríguez-Quiñones, for his part, was arrested on April 30 and convicted of first-degree attempted murder with a weapon, physical assault, theft, and trafficking in canine animals.
Both were classified by ICE as individuals who "represent real threats to national security and public safety."
Frequently asked questions about the deportation of Cubans to South Sudan
Why were the Cubans Enrique Arias-Hierro and José Manuel Rodríguez-Quiñones deported to South Sudan?
Enrique Arias-Hierro and José Manuel Rodríguez-Quiñones were deported to South Sudan due to their serious criminal records. Both were deemed threats to national and public security by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The deportation took place to a third country, South Sudan, as Cuba refused to accept them back.
What crimes did the deported Cubans commit?
Enrique Arias-Hierro was convicted of homicide, armed robbery, identity theft, kidnapping, and robbery with violence. Meanwhile, José Manuel Rodríguez-Quiñones was convicted of attempted first-degree murder with a weapon, physical assault, theft, and trafficking of canine animals.
Why was South Sudan chosen as the destination for deportation?
South Sudan was chosen as a destination due to the practice of deporting individuals to third countries when their country of origin refuses to accept its citizens. This policy has been reinforced under the administration of Donald Trump, although it has faced criticism due to the instability and risk in South Sudan, which is regarded as an unsafe country by international organizations.
What legal controversies have arisen from the deportation of these Cubans?
The deportation has been deemed a violation of a court order by Judge Brian Murphy. The judge argued that migrants were not given a meaningful opportunity to contest their transfer to a country different from their country of origin, which has raised concerns about the violation of rights and due process in U.S. immigration policies.
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