Why is the White House Deporting People to Countries They Don’t Belong To? Unpacking the Controversy

Ngoc Phan was preparing for a big change—her husband was going to be deported to Vietnam. She was gathering clothes and a phone, readying him for the journey. Family back in Vietnam was excited to welcome him. Ngoc thought everything was in order, with forms filled out and plans made.

Her husband, Tuan Thanh Phan, had faced serious charges. He spent about 25 years in prison for first-degree murder and assault after a gang-related shooting in 2000. He had a green card, but his residency was revoked in 2009.

On March 3, just as he was to be released, ICE officers took him into custody and started deportation proceedings. “We accepted it and were looking forward to it,” Ngoc said. “Then they picked him up in the middle of the night and sent him to South Sudan instead.”

Ngoc’s story is not unique. Many detainees are unexpectedly sent to countries like South Sudan, Mexico, and Cuba—often without warning. The administration claims that these individuals pose a threat. Todd Lyons, acting director of ICE, stated, “We are now able to remove these public safety threats so they won’t prey on the community anymore.”

This move isn’t without controversy. Immigration lawyers argue that detainees are not given a fair chance to contest their removals. They recently sued over a flight to South Sudan, claiming their clients needed more time to prove they might face harm if sent there. Previously, a flight to Libya was also challenged for similar reasons.

In a landmark ruling, Judge Brian Murphy decided that deportees should be given notice in their language and at least 15 days to contest their removal. However, many detainees, including those on the flight to South Sudan, received less than 24 hours’ notice.

Greg Chen from the American Immigration Lawyers Association pointed out that the conditions in countries like South Sudan are worrying. U.S. travel advisories warn people not to go there due to high levels of crime and conflict. It raises concerns about sending deportees to potentially dangerous locations.

This situation is not new. Historically, the U.S. has struggled to send people back to countries that refuse them, like Cuba and Vietnam. Agreements have been formed over the years to facilitate these deportations. For instance, Vietnam signed an agreement in 2020 to accept some deportees, but the process remains complicated.

Social media is buzzing with varied opinions on these deportations, showing that many are angry about the treatment of individuals who have already served their time. As Ngoc Phan said, “I’m angry about it. They want to call him a barbaric monster without really understanding the details of his case.”

This debate continues as the legal battle goes on. It raises questions about justice, safety, and who deserves a second chance.