A woman illegally shipped to a country half a world away is finally coming home

A woman illegally shipped to a country half a world away is finally coming home. 🌍 The New York Times reports that a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to return Adriana Maria Quiroz Zapata to the United States after deporting her to the Democratic Republic of Congo, even though a US immigration judge had already ruled that she could not be sent back to Colombia because she would likely face torture there. Here’s what makes this even more disturbing. ⚖️ Congo had already refused to accept her. The Congolese government told ICE in writing that it could not provide the medical care she needed for her diabetes and other health conditions, and the administration deported her there anyway. Federal law only allows deportation to a third country if that country agrees to take the person. 🚨 Judge Richard Leon called the deportation likely illegal and ordered the administration to explain how it plans to bring her back to the United States. This matters because the administration is openly trying to send people to countries they have no connection to, including people who already won protection from US immigration judges. But federal courts are still stepping in when the government breaks the law. If you or someone you love is fighting deportation, do not assume the system has completely stopped working. Relief from a federal court may still be possible. I’m Brian Manning, and if you need help with an asylum case or help getting a loved one out of immigration detention, please send me the word “CONSULT” in a direct message.