Supreme Court Allows Trump to Resume Third-Country Deportations While Case Proceeds

On Sept. 29, 2026, the Supreme Court granted the Trump administration's request to lift a district court order blocking deportations of migrants to countries other than their own without adequate notice. The stay lets removals resume while the justices prepare full argument in December on the policy's legality. The brief order gave no reasoning; the three liberal justices dissented. It is the third time the high court has overridden U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy's rulings on the policy. The administration says it has deported tens of thousands of people to Africa and Latin America after their home countries refused them.

Migrants' lawyers argue the practice denies a meaningful chance to raise fears of torture before removal to unfamiliar countries, citing beatings, arbitrary detention and repeated transfers. The case tests how much process is due before removal to a third country based only on that country's assurance, and could reshape due-process protections across immigration enforcement.

The stay is temporary. The Supreme Court hears full arguments in December on legality and jurisdiction; a final ruling is not expected before then.