A US federal appeals court has ruled that the Trump administration's third-country deportation policy is unlawful, according to a report by The Washington Post.

The decision targets the practice of removing migrants to countries other than their country of origin — nations with which the deportee may have no prior connection. Under the policy, the US government sought to send migrants to third states rather than return them home or allow them to remain in the United States while their immigration cases proceeded.

The ruling now blocks that approach on legal grounds. For the administration, the judgment constrains a removal tool it had used as part of its broader immigration enforcement agenda. For migrants, it removes — at least for now — the risk of being deported to an unfamiliar third country while deportation litigation and appeals are pending.

The case adds a judicial check to one of the administration's signature immigration enforcement measures. Appeals courts have repeatedly been asked to weigh in on the scope of executive power over removals, and this decision draws a line: the third-country deportation policy, as applied, does not satisfy legal requirements.

Immigration practitioners following US removal cases should read the court's written opinion directly for the full reasoning, the scope of the injunction, and any limits the judges placed on their holding. Court opinions are available through the relevant federal appeals court's official docket.

The government may seek further review. Appeals court rulings can be challenged before the US Supreme Court, and high-court intervention in immigration disputes has been frequent in recent terms. Until any further ruling, the appeals court's judgment governs.

Passport File will monitor the docket and report on any appeal, stay request, or Supreme Court petition as soon as filings appear.

This article summarizes a court ruling reported by The Washington Post. It is journalistic coverage, not legal advice. Anyone affected by a removal order or third-country deportation should consult a licensed immigration attorney and rely on official court records for the authoritative text of the decision.