Minnesota men facing deportation flown back to States
Photo Courtesy: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
(KMSP) - A plane carrying two Minnesotan men facing deportation to Somali was turned around and is en route for Unites States soil, according to the attorneys representing the men.
Attorneys Kim Hunter and John Bruning are representing five Somali men who were set to be deported to Somalia. At the last minute, a judge gave three of the five men a temporary stay. The remaining two were set to return to Somalia along with 90 others.
The plane reached Senegal, but after it landed due to flight crew issues, the plane was sent back to the States, according to a statement from ICE. The attorneys say the plane is expected to reach Miami Friday evening. When they land the group will be split up between two different detention facilities.
The attorneys say the two men still have not been granted temporary stays and their futures still remain unclear.
Full statement from ICE:
“On Dec. 7, 2017, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) began a repatriation mission to remove 92 Somali nationals to Somalia in accordance with their final orders of removal. Upon landing for a refueling and pilot exchange at Dakar, Senegal , ICE was notified that the relief crew was unable to get sufficient crew rest due to issues with their hotel in Dakar. The aircraft, including the detainees and crew on board, remained parked at the airport to allow the relief crew time to rest. During this time, the aircraft maintained power and air conditioning, and was stocked with sufficient food and water. Various logistical options were explored, and ultimately ICE decided to reschedule the mission to Somalia and return to the United States with all 92 detainees. No further details are available at this time.”