Deportation Showdown Escalates After Court Halts Trump Policy

An appeals court will allow the Trump administration to continue removing illegal immigrants to “third countries,” or locations other than their country of origin, for now.

The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a ruling by Joe Biden-appointed U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy in Massachusetts. 

The appeals court gave near-term relief to the Trump administration hours before the lower court’s order was slated to take effect, Fox News reported. 

The three-judge panel, with two Biden-appointed judges and one appointed by President George W. Bush, said in the opinion that “after careful review,” a temporary pause to Murphy’s ruling was warranted. The panel said a full decision on lifting the block would be issued soon, Newsweek reported.

Last year, shortly after the beginning of President Donald Trump’s second term, the Department of Homeland Security issued a policy directive to review cases of individuals released from immigration detention for re-detention and removal to a “third country,” or a country other than their place of origin.

Wednesday’s decision likely only extends the court battle until the Supreme Court ultimately resolves it. Last September, the Supreme Court halted an earlier ruling by Murphy to block the removals. 

In D.V.D v. Department of Homeland Security, a group of illegal immigrants with final removal orders sued the administration in March 2025, claiming the new policy violated federal immigration statutes, as well as due process. 

The Trump administration appealed to the 1st Circuit last week and argued that Murphy’s ruling created an “unworkable scheme” that could endanger negotiations with outside countries.

Administration lawyers also argued the decision affected thousands of planned deportations. 

The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals covers Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Puerto Rico. 

Murphy’s scathing opinion called the administration’s deportation policy “unlawful” and accused the government of providing “false” information in the case.