Mexican National Returns Home After Being Deported to Africa
A Mexican man, previously deported from the United States to South Sudan, has been sent back home. Earlier this year, he was among a group of eight individuals who were deported from the U.S. and detained in the East African country.
The man, known as Jesus Munoz-Gutierrez, was not alone. His comrades, all of whom were also deported, originated from various countries including Cuba, Laos, Myanmar, Sudan, and Vietnam. None of these individuals were actually from South Sudan.
Deportation Journey
The process of Munoz-Gutierrez's return to Mexico was coordinated by the foreign ministry of South Sudan, working in collaboration with the Mexican embassy in Ethiopia, which shares a border with South Sudan. This operation was conducted in strict accordance with international law, bilateral agreements, and existing diplomatic protocols.
However, it remains unknown whether Munoz-Gutierrez and his fellow deportees had access to legal representation during this process.
Reasons for Deportation
It's important to note that these eight men were not just randomly selected for deportation. They were convicted of severe crimes in the United States, including murder, sexual assault, lascivious acts with a child, and robbery. Munoz-Gutierrez himself was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.
Controversy Surrounding Deportation Policies
Human rights organizations have raised concerns about the growing trend of deporting migrants to third countries, a practice they argue violates international law and the basic rights of migrants. This approach has faced resistance within the U.S. legal system, but in a pivotal decision, the Supreme Court allowed the government to resume swift removals of migrants to countries other than their homelands.
The decision to deport migrants to countries that are not their original homelands regardless of the human rights situation in those countries has been seen as a significant political win for the current U.S. administration.
Other Countries Involved in Deportations
South Sudan isn't the only African nation receiving deportees from the U.S. Other countries include Uganda, Eswatini, and Rwanda. Eswatini, located in southern Africa, took in five men with criminal records in July. Meanwhile, Rwanda announced the arrival of a group of seven deportees in mid-August.
These deportations and the controversies surrounding them continue to stir debates on the ethics and legality of such practices. The question of whether these practices adhere to international law and respect the basic rights of migrants remains a topic of intense discussion.