A contingent of men deported from the US to Djibouti, East Africa, are stranded in a converted shipping container alongside US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) officers who were tasked with their supervision after a court halted their deportation flight to South Sudan.According to US government reports, both the eight deportees and 13 Ice staff have started experiencing health issues.Since late May, eight individuals from Latin America, Asia and South Sudan, along with Ice staff, have remained confined at a US naval facility. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported that Ice officers began experiencing symptoms “within 72 hours of landing” in Djibouti, with ongoing suspected bacterial upper respiratory infections, the Guardian reported.The administration’s plan to deport eight detainees with alleged criminal convictions to South Sudan was blocked by judicial intervention in May, upholding their right to contest the deportation through legal channels.DHS and Ice senior official Mellissa Harper stated in court documents that the detainees occupy a shipping container previously used as a conference space. The Ice officers are experiencing accommodation constraints, with only six beds available for 13 personnel.Harper’s declaration noted that local burn pits have caused respiratory issues among Ice officials. She highlighted the challenging conditions, including daytime temperatures exceeding 100F (38C), and malaria risks due to lack of preventive medication before arrival.“Within 72 hours of landing in Djibouti, the officers and detainees began to feel ill,” Harper stated, noting inadequate diagnostic facilities.Harper further reported: “Upon arrival in Djibouti, officers were warned by US Department of Defense officials of imminent danger of rocket attacks from terrorist groups in Yemen. The Ice officers lack body armor or other gear that would be appropriate in the case of an attack.”The declaration outlined restrictive conditions for detainees, including single daily showers and security checks during bathroom visits, located 40 yards from their container. Harper noted insufficient lighting creates security concerns for both officers and detainees.The administration had initially attempted to return the eight men to Myanmar, Cuba, Vietnam, Laos, Mexico and South Sudan. After these countries refused acceptance, authorities arranged their transfer to South Sudan in late May.Boston’s US district judge Brian Murphy blocked this action, stating the administration had “unquestionably” violated his April ruling that guaranteed legal challenge rights for individuals facing third-country deportation.
