Trump asks US Supreme Court to allow third-country deportations

The Donald Trump administration has asked the US Supreme Court to allow fast deportations of immigrants to third countries where they have no ties. The Department of Justice filed an emergency appeal on Thursday, arguing that lower-court restrictions have disrupted deportation flights and left more than 1,400 people with final removal orders in the US. The government says some face deportation after convictions for crimes including murder and rape, and could be released if not removed.

The case concerns so-called third-country removals, where people are sent to a country not their own. The administration says such arrangements have been used by multiple administrations because some countries refuse to accept deportees. The government has reached agreements with nearly two dozen countries, including South Sudan, Equatorial Guinea and Panama.

The First US Circuit Court of Appeals late Wednesday lifted an existing stay, allowing a district court restriction to take effect again. The government says at least one deportation flight to three countries was cancelled. Solicitor General D. John Sauer argues there is no realistic risk of persecution in third countries. Human rights groups and plaintiffs' lawyers dispute this, citing reports of deportees beaten and held at gunpoint in Equatorial Guinea.