Federal Judge Finds Due Process Violations in Migrant’s Deportation
The U.S. government is arranging a charter flight to bring a Guatemalan asylum seeker back to the United States after a judge ruled his deportation lacked due process.
The migrant, identified as O.C.G., was wrongfully removed despite a legal order protecting him from deportation.
What Happened
In February 2025, an immigration judge ruled that O.C.G., a Guatemalan man seeking asylum, faced a credible threat of harm if returned to his country. The judge ordered a “withholding of removal,” blocking his deportation.
Despite this, O.C.G. was placed on a bus and sent to Mexico just two days later. From there, Mexican authorities deported him to Guatemala.
A federal judge later determined that the deportation violated U.S. due process laws and ordered O.C.G. to be returned.
Key Details
- Identity: The migrant is identified only as O.C.G.
- Background: He fled Guatemala after multiple violent attacks.
- Legal Status: He had no criminal history and requested asylum.
- Court Ruling: A judge ruled he could not be deported to Guatemala—or any third country—without additional legal steps.
- Violation: The U.S. government deported him without following those steps.
Reactions or Statements
U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy stated that “necessary steps, and O.C.G.’s pleas for help, were ignored.”
The Justice Department admitted that there were no witnesses to support the claim that O.C.G. voluntarily accepted deportation to Mexico.
Murphy emphasized that the only valid account was O.C.G.’s statement that he received no notice and was denied access to legal counsel.
Investigation or What’s Next
The Justice Department is working to secure a charter flight to bring O.C.G. back to the United States.
He remains in hiding in Guatemala, fearing for his safety.
This case is one of several in which federal judges have found that deportation under the Trump-era policies occurred without proper legal procedures.
FAQs
Who is O.C.G.?
A Guatemalan man seeking asylum in the U.S. after surviving violent attacks in his home country.
Why was he deported?
He was deported despite a legal order barring his removal, due to administrative errors and ignored court rulings.
What did the judge say?
The judge ruled that O.C.G.’s deportation lacked due process and ordered his return.
Has this happened before?
Yes. Federal courts have criticized the government for other similar deportations, including the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia.
What happens now?
The U.S. government is facilitating O.C.G.’s return via charter flight to allow due legal proceedings.
Summary / Final Takeaway
A U.S. federal judge has ordered the return of a Guatemalan migrant, O.C.G., whose deportation violated his legal rights. This high-profile case underscores ongoing concerns about the lack of due process in U.S. immigration enforcement.
The government is now acting to correct the error and bring him back to face proper proceedings.
