The Trump administration said Wednesday it has flown a planeload of eight murderers, rapists and other “barbaric” illegal immigrants from all over the globe to South Sudan, and told a federal judge to butt out.
Homeland Security said the criminals’ home countries wouldn’t take them back, so the administration had to find somewhere that would receive them.
“These are the ones that you don’t want in your community,” said Todd Lyons, acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Officials said the eight deportees were flown to South Sudan but suggested that was not their final destination. They declined to say more.
The deportations come as a federal judge in Massachusetts has gotten involved, ordering tight controls on the removals, including that Homeland Security maintain custody of them while he decides whether the removals were in order.
Homeland Security said it was complying with Judge Brian Murphy’s orders but jabbed back at him for “trying to force the United States to bring back these uniquely barbaric monsters.”
“It is absolutely absurd for a district judge to try to dictate the foreign policy and national security of the United States of America,” Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said.
The judge had a hearing slated for later Wednesday morning on the matter.
Ms. McLaughlin complained that reporters were focusing too heavily on the rights of the deportees and not giving enough attention to the victims of their crimes.
“Tell the stories of the innocent Americans that they victimized,” she said.
