A judicial order by a district judge in Massachusetts has ignited a fierce debate over judicial overreach and national security, as it seeks to block the deportation of what the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is labeling “barbaric, violent individuals illegally in the United States.”
The ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Brian Murphy has drawn sharp criticism from the Trump administration, with officials decrying it as an attempt by a “far-left activist judge to dictate the foreign policy of the United States.”
According to a statement released by DHS, the deportation flight originated in Texas and was intended to remove individuals described as having committed “uniquely monstrous and barbaric” crimes, so severe that “no country on earth wanted to accept them.”
Late Tuesday, Murphy issued an emergency order requiring the Trump administration to “maintain custody and control of class members currently being removed to South Sudan or any other third country, to ensure the practical feasibility of return if the Court finds that such removals were unlawful.”
READ: Trump Admin Deports 8 “Barbaric” Criminals To South Sudan, Blasts Massachusetts Judge
Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated, “Thanks to the courageous work of the State Department and ICE and the President’s national security team, we found a nation that was willing to accept custody of these vicious illegal aliens.”
Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons, a career law enforcement officer, expressed his frustration, stating, “I’ve been dealing with these recalcitrant countries for years — having to see repeated murders, sex offenders, violent criminals re-released back into the United States because their home countries would not take them back.” Lyons credited President Trump and Secretary Noem’s leadership for enabling the removal of these “public safety threats.”
The DHS release specifically identified several individuals whose deportations are now reportedly impacted by the judge’s order, highlighting their extensive criminal records:
Enrique Arias-Hierro (Cuba): Convictions for homicide, armed robbery, strongarm robbery, kidnapping, and false impersonation of an official. (Arrested by ICE: May 2, 2025)
Jose Manuel Rodriguez-Quinones (Cuba): Convictions for attempted first-degree murder with a weapon, battery, larceny, cocaine possession, and cocaine trafficking. (Arrested by ICE: April 30, 2025)
Thongxay Nilakout (Laos): Convictions for first-degree murder and robbery. (Arrested by ICE: January 26, 2025)
Jesus Munoz-Gutierrez (Mexico): Conviction for second-degree murder. (Arrested by ICE: May 12, 2025)
Dian Peter Domach (South Sudan): Convictions for robbery, possession of a firearm, possession of burglar’s tools, possession of a defaced firearm, and driving under the influence. (Arrested by ICE: May 8, 2024)
Kyaw Mya (Burma): Conviction for lascivious acts with a child victim less than 12 years of age. (Arrested by ICE: February 18, 2025)
Nyo Myint (Burma): Conviction for first-degree sexual assault involving a victim mentally and physically incapable of resisting; charged with aggravated assault. (Arrested by ICE: February 19, 2025)
Tuan Thanh Phan (Vietnam): Convictions for first-degree murder and second-degree assault. (Arrested by ICE: May 3, 2025)
Assistant Secretary McLaughlin reiterated the administration’s stance, calling the situation “absolutely absurd for a district judge to try and dictate the foreign policy and national security of the United States of America,” while affirming compliance with the law and court orders.
This development is expected to further intensify the ongoing national debate surrounding immigration policy, judicial authority, and public safety.
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