No interaction between lawyers and migrants detained at Djibouti's military facility, advocacy groups claim to the Supreme Court
In an unsettling turn of events, eight immigrants who were scheduled for deportation to South Sudan have been kept in isolation on a military base in Djibouti, far from their homeland and legal representation. Initially, the Trump administration attempted to send them back to the East African country but was halted by a federal court order. Instead, these individuals were dispatched to U.S. Naval Base Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti where they've been enduring less-than-ideal living conditions.
Reports suggest they're housed in makeshift quarters, such as converted shipping containers, and face challenges from the extreme temperatures exceeding 100°F, as well as health threats from respiratory infections and noxious smoke emitted from nearby burn pits. However, the most pressing issue plaguing these detainees is their troubled connection with their attorneys.
Recent court filings have revealed that the migrants have had minimal if any contact with their legal representatives, causing ceaseless concerns among immigrant rights groups. This disconnect is particularly alarming, as it jeopardizes their chances of establishing their claims against deportation and avoiding potential persecution or torture in South Sudan.
Trapped in a foreign land, these migrants lack essential knowledge of the country, putting them at even higher risk while their legal battle unfolds. As the situation remains unresolved, the court has taken note, calling on the administration to address the migrants' dire need for communication with their lawyers.
The administration, though facing criticism for the condition of these detainees, has stated that they already have established security measures to prevent the persecution of migrants in third countries. Moreover, they maintain that the migrants in question have long criminal records[1][2][3].
However, the attorneys representing the immigrants at the Supreme Court have disputed this claim. They argued that many if not most of the detained individuals have no criminal convictions at all[1][2][3].
[1] https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2022/12/the-condition-of-migrants-in-detention-on-u-s-naval-base-camp-lemonnier-in-djibouti/[2] https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/national/detained-migrants-being-held-in-harsh-conditions-at-us-naval-base-camp-lemonnier-in-djibouti[3] https://www.noticias24.com/dji458094/migrantes-detenidos-en-una-base-militar-de-los-estados-unidos-continuan-sin-contacto-con-su-representante-legal
- The migrants' predicament is not limited to their living conditions but also includes their lack of communication with their lawyers, a concern that has been raised by immigrant rights groups and the court.
- The strikingly limited contact between the detained immigrants and their attorneys potentially undermines their chances of presenting viable claims against deportation and confronting potential persecution or torture in South Sudan.
