A federal judge has issued a ruling that mandates the Trump administration to repatriate a Colombian woman, Adriana Maria Quiroz Zapata, from the Democratic Republic of Congo (Congo). The decision comes after it was determined that her deportation to Congo was likely illegal, as the country had refused to accept her due to insufficient medical care available for her existing health conditions.
Zapata, 55, suffers from diabetes and a thyroid condition, which have led to serious health complications during her detention. According to a declaration submitted by Zapata in court, she has developed concerning symptoms, including black spots on her back and foot, peeling skin, and blackened nails. These conditions have raised alarm among her legal representatives, who reported that she is deeply worried about her health and the possibility of death.
Adriana Maria Quiroz Zapata entered the United States from Mexico in August 2024 and was subsequently placed into the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Following her deportation, she has been staying in a hotel in Kinshasa, the capital of Congo. Conditions in the hotel are restrictive; the gates are locked, and Zapata, along with other deportees, is rarely allowed to leave without supervision. Her lawyer, Lauren O’Neal, has emphasized the dire circumstances and limited freedom faced by those in similar situations.
Zapata is one of thousands of immigrants who were legally residing in the United States while awaiting decisions on their asylum claims. Many of these individuals were suddenly issued deportation orders that mandated their expulsion to countries where they had little to no connections. The Trump administration's aggressive immigration policies led to over 15,000 third-country deportation orders, according to advocacy groups, although only a small portion of these orders have actually been executed.
The agreements made by the United States with various nations—including Ecuador, Honduras, Uganda, Cameroon, and Congo—allow for the deportation of individuals to countries where they may lack supportive networks. Despite the high number of orders issued, the actual number of completed deportations remains relatively low, with advocacy groups estimating that only a few hundred third-country deportations have taken place.
The circumstances surrounding Adriana Maria Quiroz Zapata's case shed light on the complexities and potential injustices involved in the U.S. immigration system, especially regarding the treatment of immigrants facing medical issues and inadequate care in their deported countries.
