South Sudan announced on Saturday that it has sent a Mexican citizen back to his home country after months in custody.
Officials said Jesús Muñoz-Gutierrez had been among eight migrants transferred to South Sudan from the United States in July. He departed Juba Airport for Mexico following coordination between South Sudan’s foreign ministry and the Mexican Embassy in nearby Ethiopia.
Authorities described the process as following international law, existing agreements, and diplomatic protocols.
Human rights groups have long criticized the U.S. practice of sending migrants to third countries, saying it can breach international standards and leave people without proper legal support. U.S. courts have issued mixed rulings on the issue, with the Supreme Court earlier this year allowing the government to resume certain fast-track removals.
It remains unclear whether Muñoz-Gutierrez or others in his group received legal assistance before their deportation. U.S. officials have said he was previously convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.
South Sudan is not the only African country receiving deportees from the United States. Uganda, Eswatini, and Rwanda have also taken in groups of returnees over the past few months, some with criminal records.