The Supreme Court’s latest move has delivered a dramatic victory for the Trump administration, clearing the way for eight immigrants being held at a U.S. military base in Djibouti to be deported to South Sudan — a country the State Department itself warns Americans not to enter due to kidnapping, crime, and armed conflict. In a terse 7–2 decision, the Court ruled that its earlier stay invalidated a lower judge’s attempt to block “third-country removals,” even if the destination wasn’t listed on the immigrants’ original deportation orders.

The ruling overturns the efforts of U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy, who had accused the government of violating his injunction and attempting to secretly send the men to South Sudan despite his safeguards requiring proof they wouldn’t face torture. Justice Sonia Sotomayor blasted the majority, saying the government is trying to dump the eight men into a nation where they face a real risk of death — and that the Court is enabling it. But with Justice Elena Kagan siding with conservatives, the majority held firm: Murphy’s order “cannot be used” to block removals the Supreme Court has already allowed.