The court’s decision ensures Eyidi Ambila will not be deported while he litigates his case in immigration court.
PORTLAND, Maine – A federal judge today postponed the habeas hearing of Eyidi Ambila, a Maine resident facing deportation to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), ensuring he will not be deported while he fights for protection under U.S. immigration law.
Judge Nancy Torresen of the U.S. District Court for the District of Maine issued the order on Monday morning, citing “good cause” for the postponement in light of Mr. Ambila’s emergency motion to reopen his immigration case with the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) and to stay his removal, which is a temporary pause in the deportation process.
Mr. Ambila has lived in the U.S. since he was seven years old and has no current connection to the DRC, the country of his birth. Deporting Mr. Ambila to the DRC would make him vulnerable to detainment, torture, and even death. The court’s decision means Mr. Ambila can fully litigate his case in immigration court, arguing for protection under the Convention Against Torture.
“This ruling ensures that Mr. Ambila receives what due process requires: his day in immigration court and the opportunity to fully pursue his argument for Convention Against Torture protection,” said Anahita Sotoohi, a staff attorney at the ACLU of Maine.
Mr. Ambila has been in ICE detention since September 23, 2024. Last month, the ACLU of Maine filed a habeas corpus petition on his behalf challenging his indefinite ICE detainment and asking for his release. The government argued that Mr. Ambila’s deportation was imminent, but Judge Torreson said that the government has failed to convince the court that Mr. Ambila’s removal from the country could happen soon. She noted that there were still “many unanswered questions” regarding Mr. Ambila’s ability to be deported back to the DRC and the outcome of his immigration case.
Mr. Ambila will remain in U.S. immigration detention while his hearing proceeds. Under the court’s order, he will continue to file regular updates on his BIA proceedings.
