ICE Ordered To Return Man Deported To African Nation He Has No Ties To
Summary
A federal judge in Minnesota ordered the Trump administration to take reasonable steps to return Nicaraguan national Kenis Adalberto Lopez Gonzalez from the Central African Republic to the United States. The judge found at a preliminary stage that officials likely violated Lopez’s due-process rights when they detained and deported him, but did not rule on the general legality of deporting people to third countries.Key Facts
- Lopez entered the United States in 2022 and turned himself in to immigration authorities.
- A 2024 ruling barred his deportation to Nicaragua because of concerns that he could face torture there.
- ICE detained Lopez in January 2026 and deported him to the Central African Republic in August.
- Court records say Lopez had lived in Shakopee, Minnesota, ran a construction company and had no criminal record.
- The court said Lopez had no ties to the Central African Republic, could not leave because he lacked legal status there, and feared going outside because of threats from violent criminals.
- Judge Jeffrey M. Bryan ordered DHS and ICE to arrange Lopez’s return as soon as practicable and keep him in Minnesota while the case is pending.
- The article says the U.S. has third-country deportation arrangements with dozens of nations.
- The judge did not decide whether third-country deportations are generally lawful.
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