Federal Judge Warns Against Deportation Flights to Libya Without Advance Notice

A federal judge indicated on Wednesday that any deportation flights targeting migrants to Libya or Saudi Arabia would breach a court order if the Trump administration fails to give prior notification to those affected and their legal representatives.

While the administration has yet to confirm any scheduled deportation flights to these nations, a coalition of attorneys advocating for migrants from Vietnam, Laos, and the Philippines revealed in court filings that their clients had been informed by immigration agents about imminent removals to Libya or Saudi Arabia.

Concerns Raised by Immigration Attorneys

The immigration lawyers approached U.S. District Judge Brian E. Murphy, a nominee of former President Joe Biden, requesting a temporary restraining order. This request aimed to prevent the removal of non-citizens to third countries, specifically Libya and Saudi Arabia, without prior written notification and an opportunity to address fear-based claims for protection against torture.

Judge Murphy expressed agreement with the immigration attorneys, emphasizing that adhering to the court’s previous order was critical. According to the judge, deporting migrants to Libya without allowing them a chance to assert rights related to torture protections would contravene the established injunction.

Details of the Court Order

In his ruling, Judge Murphy referenced the Preliminary Injunction issued on April 18, 2025, which stipulates that all third-country removals must be preceded, among other conditions, by written notice in a language that the non-citizen understands. Additionally, there must be a meaningful opportunity for affected individuals to submit fear-based claims for protection.

Judge Murphy elaborated, stating that the April 30, 2025 Amendment to the Preliminary Injunction clarifies that the Department of Homeland Security is prohibited from bypassing this injunction by relinquishing control over deportees or delegating immigration responsibilities to other agencies, including the Department of Defense.

The judge added, “There is no doubt—this Court perceives none—that the reported imminent removals, as indicated by news outlets and as the Plaintiffs aim to substantiate with testimonies from those directly affected, would clearly infringe this Court’s Order.”

Following the court session, Fox News Digital reached out to the Department of Homeland Security for clarification regarding these developments.

Alarming Reports of Imminent Removals

In their plea for intervention from Judge Murphy, the immigration attorneys cited troubling reports that emerged on Tuesday and Wednesday. They highlighted claims from counsel representing class members, revealing that illegal immigrants from Laos, Vietnam, and the Philippines were allegedly being prepared for removal to Libya, a country notorious for its severe human rights violations, particularly against migrants.

The attorneys underscored that class members faced scheduling for removal despite not receiving the requisite notice or opportunity to apply for protection against torture, a serious concern they brought before the court.

Allegations of Scheduled Flights

Adding weight to the attorneys’ claims, a CNN report noted that publicly available information suggests a C-17 military flight was slated to transport migrants from Kelly Field in San Antonio, Texas, to Misrata Airport in Libya. A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, corroborated reports to the Associated Press, revealing alleged plans for a military flight transporting migrants to Libya. However, this official could not provide additional details regarding the timeline of the flight.

Libya’s Denial of Deportation Arrangements

The Libyan government, led by Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, has since denied establishing any deportation agreements with the United States. They asserted that there is “no deal or coordination” regarding the acceptance of migrants but acknowledged that “some parallel parties” could be negotiating such arrangements.

This statement appears to refer to rival factions in Libya, particularly the administration in eastern Libya under the command of military leader Khalifa Hifter. This eastern faction has also publicly denied any agreements with the U.S. concerning migrant deportations.

The Administration’s Position

On Wednesday, President Donald Trump directed inquiries regarding the matter to the Department of Homeland Security. During a news conference in Illinois, Secretary Kristi Noem stated that she could not confirm the media reports surrounding plans for deportations to Libya. The State Department further clarified that it does not discuss the specifics of diplomatic communication with foreign governments.

Future Deportation Plans

The Trump administration has indicated its consideration of other third countries for deportations. This includes recent efforts that successfully transported Venezuelans to El Salvador, as well as the deportation of non-citizens to Panama and Costa Rica.

This report draws contributions from the Associated Press.