Judge Orders Return of Man Deported to Equatorial Guinea

The Trump administration is facilitating the return of Ahmed Soliman, an Egyptian man and former green card holder, following a ruling by Arizona District Court Judge John Hinderaker. Soliman had been barred from deportation to Egypt due to risks of persecution, but the U.S. government instead removed him to Equatorial Guinea earlier this year as part of a broader strategy to deport migrants to countries where they have no ties.

Judge Hinderaker ruled that the Department of Homeland Security violated the Fifth Amendment's Due Process Clause. The court found that Soliman was held under armed guard, beaten, and threatened at gunpoint by authorities in Equatorial Guinea. U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine filed documents confirming the administration has begun the process to bring Soliman back to the United States.

While the Department of Homeland Security has agreed to comply with the court order, a spokesperson for the agency stated that Soliman will ultimately not remain in the U.S. Soliman's lawyer, Dana Camilleri, has advocated for his release, noting the dire situation created by the government's actions.