By Maribel Velazquez
A US federal judge ordered the president’s government donald trump return “as soon as possible” a Colombian woman who was deported to the Democratic Republic of the Congodespite the fact that that country had refused to receive her due to her delicate medical conditions.
The decision was issued by the judge Richard J. Leon, of the Court of the United States District for the District of Columbia, who described the expulsion of Adriana María Quiroz as “probably illegal” Zapata, 55 years old. The magistrate also ordered the administration to present a report before Friday detailing the actions to facilitate his return to US territory.
The case has generated strong attention because it once again exposes the immigration policies promoted during the Trump administration, particularly the strategy of sending immigrants to “third countries” with whom they have no relationship.
According to court documents reported by CNN, Quiroz Zapata entered the United States in August 2024 and was later arrested by agents of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Service (ICE).
Migrant obtained protection against deportation to Colombia
According to the court record, a US immigration judge had already determined that Adriana Quiroz could not be deported to Colombia because there was a high probability that he would suffer torture or reprisals linked to Colombian officials.
In an interview with The Original York Times from the Congo, the woman said that He fled Colombia to escape from an ex-partner allegedly related to the national police of that country.
While US authorities were looking for another destination to deport her, the Democratic Republic of the Congo formally refused to accept it in April because he could not guarantee the medical treatment he required.
Quiroz Zapata’s heavenly defense explained that the woman suffers from diabetes, hyperlipidemia and hypothyroidismdiseases that require constant care and specialized medications.
Despite this official refusal, the administration Trump put her on a deportation flight to the Congo on April 16where it currently remains.
“He faces a daily risk of death”: judge
In his ruling, Judge Richard Leon was forceful about the consequences of deportation.
“She was sent to a country that refused to accept her because he cannot provide the necessary medical care,” the magistrate wrote.
The judge added that the woman faces “a daily risk of medical complications, including death,” due to a lack of proper care.
Lawyer Lauren O’Neal also criticized the actions of the immigration authorities Americans and assured that these types of cases show abuses within the deportation system.
“Holding the executive branch accountable is the only way to ensure adequate oversight,” O’Neal said in a statement cited by CNN.
The ruling also refers to controversial case of the Salvadoran migrant Kilmar Armando Abrego García, derroneously deported to El Salvador and subsequently forced to return to the United States after months of litigation.
The Trump administration has faced multiple criticisms for toughening deportations and using agreements with third countries to expel migrants even when there are humanitarian or legal risks.
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