• A Guatemalan man, O.C.G., wrongfully deported to Mexico, has returned to the U.S. following a judge's order.
• The ruling highlights issues of due process within the Trump administration's deportation policies.
• This marks the first instance of a deportee being returned due to a judicial directive under the current administration.
• O.C.G. faced violence in Guatemala and abuse in Mexico prior to his deportation.
• U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy criticized the administration for violating due process in this case.

A Guatemalan man known as O.C.G. has been returned to the United States after being wrongfully deported to Mexico, following an order from U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy. This case marks a significant precedent, as it is reportedly the first time the Trump administration has complied with a judicial order to facilitate the return of a deported individual under such circumstances, according to Reuters and CBS News.

O.C.G., who had initially fled Guatemala due to threats related to his sexuality, entered the U.S. and sought asylum in response to violence and extortion suffered during his time in Mexico. In February, an immigration judge found that he was at risk if returned to Guatemala and ordered his protection. However, just days later, he was deported to Mexico, drawing sharp criticism from Judge Murphy, who stated that this deportation "lacked due process," according to New York Times and Newsweek.

The Trump administration faced scrutiny for its handling of O.C.G.’s case, particularly after it erroneously claimed that he had expressed no fear of returning to Mexico. Judge Murphy found the lack of due diligence shocking, stating that the administration failed to provide a “meaningful opportunity” for O.C.G. to contest his removal, supported by legal documents from HuffPost and ABC News.

Upon his return, O.C.G. was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and placed in a detention facility in Arizona while he awaits further legal proceedings regarding his asylum claim. His return occurs amid ongoing litigation regarding the treatment of remaining deportees who similarly suffered from procedural inaccuracies during their removals, as highlighted by reports from TRT Global and India Times.