The Supreme Court has allowed the Trump administration to resume deporting immigrants to third countries, temporarily lifting a lower court ruling that blocked the practice. The decision sets up a potential final legal challenge over the policy, which has been used to deport thousands of immigrants to countries like El Salvador and South Sudan.
The court's order permits the administration to continue its policy of third-country removals, which the Trump administration argues is necessary to remove dangerous criminals. The practice, which requires that immigrants not face torture or persecution in their destination country, has been challenged in court over whether it provides sufficient due process.
The justices will hear arguments on the issue in December, with the final decision likely to determine the legality of the policy. The administration has previously sought Supreme Court intervention to allow deportations to proceed, including to South Sudan, and has argued that the practice is essential for removing the most dangerous offenders.
The lower court had ruled that the policy violated the rights of immigrants by not allowing them a hearing to determine if they could face torture or persecution in third countries. The Supreme Court's decision temporarily lifts that ruling, setting the policy up for a possible final legal test.