Alabama man deported to Laos despite judge's order blocking removal
Oct 28, 2025·Location: Alabama, AL
Country of origin: Laos
Chanthila "Shawn" Souvannarath, 44, was deported to Laos despite a federal court order issued the day before blocking his removal so he could pursue a claim of U.S. citizenship. Souvannarath was born in a refugee camp in Thailand but has lived most of his life in the United States and had been granted lawful permanent residence before his first birthday. A federal judge had directed ICE to keep him in the country while his citizenship claim was reviewed. DHS said the court order was not received until after the deportation had already taken place, according to attorneys.
Sources
- Man deported to Laos despite court order blocking his removal, attorneys say
Associated Press·Oct 28, 2025·archived copy
digital-dev.thehill.com·Oct 28, 2025·archived copy
- Man deported to Laos despite US court order blocking his removal, say attorneys
thestar.com.my·Oct 29, 2025·archived copy
- He was deported to Laos despite court order blocking removal
nextshark.com·Nov 19, 2025·archived copy
- Man deported to Laos despite court ordering blocking his removal, attorneys say
dating.independent.co.uk·Oct 28, 2025·archived copy
- Judge's order blocking removal of man from US wasn't received until after he was deported, DHS says
Newsday·Oct 29, 2025·archived copy
- Wrongfully deported man to be returned to U.S., Colorado federal judge orders
coloradopolitics.com·Aug 27, 2026
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