A federal judge has ordered the United States government to return a 55-year-old Colombian woman who was deported to the Democratic Republic of Congo despite that country's refusal to accept her.

The ruling found that the Trump administration most likely violated federal law in the deportation case. The woman, whose identity has not been publicly disclosed, was sent to the African nation even though Congo had declined to take her.

The judge described the ruling as unusual, highlighting the irregular circumstances surrounding the deportation. Legal experts note that deportations typically require acceptance by the receiving country, making this case particularly problematic from a procedural standpoint.

The case underscores ongoing challenges within the U.S. immigration system regarding proper deportation procedures and international cooperation. Federal immigration law generally requires that receiving countries agree to accept deportees before removal proceedings can be completed.

The judge's order now requires U.S. authorities to take steps to return the woman from Congo, though the timeline and logistics of such a process remain unclear. The ruling could set precedent for other cases involving disputed deportations to countries that have not agreed to accept individuals.