The federal judge ruled that deporting noncitizens to third countries not explicitly listed in their removal order without prior written notification and a meaningful opportunity to challenge the deportation in court violates due process, especially if they fear torture or persecution.

Attorneys for the immigrants specified that their clients from Laos, Vietnam, and the Philippines are at risk of being deported to Libya, despite these countries not being their home nations.

Libya is currently under a U.S. State Department Level 4 travel advisory, warning against travel due to crime, terrorism, unexploded landmines, civil unrest, kidnapping, and armed conflict.

The administration aims to send a strong deterrent message that unauthorized migrants could be deported not only to their home countries, but also to third countries experiencing deep political crisis, such as Libya.

Libyan officials have denied having any agreement with the U.S. to accept deportees, stating that they are not collaborating on such plans.