Federal judge orders Trump administration to bring back a Colombian woman who was deported to Congo

Source: Associated Press

A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to bring a Colombian woman back to the U.S. from Congo, after she was deported to the African nation even though it had refused to accept her because it could not care for her medical needs.

The deportation of Adriana Maria Quiroz Zapata “was likely illegal,” U.S. District Judge Richard J. Leon ruled Wednesday.

Zapata, 55, who has diabetes and a thyroid condition, “has been sent to a country that refused to accept her because they cannot provide sufficient medical care,” the ruling said. “As a result, she faces a daily risk of medical complications, up to and including death.”

Black spots began to grow on Zapata’s back and foot while she was in detention, her skin started to peel and her nails blackened, according to documents Zapata submitted in court, which were provided to the AP by her lawyer. She also suffers from depression, anxiety and insomnia.

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By CLAIRE GALOFARO and TIM SULLIVAN
Updated 5:56 PM EDT, May 14, 2026


Read more: https://apnews.com/article/trump-immigration-congo-colombia-courts-a5b8c32bf3cb349cb5929991d0ecd713