A federal judge has ordered President Donald Trump’s administration to facilitate the return of a Guatemalan man deported to Mexico.
The man, identified only as “O.C.G.” in court filings, was previously granted a withholding of removal from Guatemala.
Despite that protection, federal authorities deported him to Mexico earlier this year.
Judge Brian Murphy of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts issued the order Friday.
Murphy ruled that O.C.G. was not given a sufficient opportunity to present his fear of being sent to Mexico.
Court documents say O.C.G. told immigration officers he had been raped and held hostage in Mexico.
Murphy said the man’s fears were not properly considered before his removal.
The judge directed the administration to “facilitate” O.C.G.’s return to the U.S., per the Washington Examiner.
He emphasized that adherence to due process remains essential to maintaining the rule of law.
“Rules are tedious and frustrating, but they also keep us fair and honest,” Murphy wrote in his ruling.
He added that the cost of returning the man was minimal compared to the value of preserving legal norms.
O.C.G.’s legal team says he is currently in Guatemala after being given a choice between returning there or staying in Mexico.
His attorneys claim he is living in fear and unable to move freely due to threats from his past attackers.
According to their statement, he avoids visiting his mother for fear that his presence could expose her to danger.
The ruling comes as Trump’s immigration enforcement policies continue to face legal challenges in federal courts.
O.C.G. had originally applied for protection from deportation on the basis of persecution in Guatemala.
The government granted him protection from being returned to Guatemala but did not officially consider his fear of Mexico.
When he was removed, O.C.G. reportedly asked not to be sent to Mexico but was still deported there.
Judge Murphy’s ruling focused on the lack of proper procedure, not the merits of O.C.G.’s fears.
The case highlights ongoing questions surrounding deportation policy and the rights of non-citizens under U.S. law.
This decision is the latest in a series of legal setbacks for immigration authorities under President Trump.
In a separate ongoing case, courts have also ordered the return of a Salvadoran man, Kilmar Abrego Garcia.
Garcia is an alleged MS-13 gang member who was deported to El Salvador despite a pending court case.
The Trump administration has not complied with the order to bring Garcia back, nor has the Salvadoran government.
Legal experts say both cases could set precedents for how courts handle disputed deportations going forward.
Neither the Department of Homeland Security nor White House officials have issued public statements on Murphy’s ruling.
The decision has drawn criticism from conservatives who argue that federal judges are interfering with immigration enforcement.
Supporters of the ruling claim it is about upholding legal protections, not undermining policy.
O.C.G.’s legal team says they will now push for full consideration of his claims regarding both Guatemala and Mexico.
For now, the administration is under court order to act on the judge’s directive and bring the man back.
