The Supreme Court has cleared the path for the Trump administration to deport a group of immigrants held at a U.S. military base in Djibouti to South Sudan.
The order came less than two weeks after the high court temporarily stayed a ruling by U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy, whose order barred the federal government from deporting immigrants to “third countries”—those not explicitly named in their removal orders—without first ensuring, through a series of safeguards, that the individuals would not face torture upon deportation
Murphy’s May 21 ruling found that the government violated his April 18 order by attempting to deport eight men to South Sudan. The U.S. has evacuated all non-emergency personnel from South Sudan, and the State Department advises against travel there due to “crime, kidnapping, and armed conflict.”
The flight carrying the immigrants bound for South Sudan instead landed in nearby Djibouti, where the men have since been held at a U.S. military base.
On May 27, the Trump administration appealed to the Supreme Court to stay Murphy’s April 18 order, seeking permission to proceed with “third country” removals while the legal battle over the practice unfolds.
U.S. Solicitor General D. John Sauer contended that Murphy’s “judicially created procedures are currently wreaking havoc on the third-country removal process” and “disrupt[ing] sensitive diplomatic, foreign policy, and national-security efforts.”
Several hours after the Supreme Court responded to the Trump administration’s first request, made on June 23, Murphy then claimed that his May 21 order remained unaffected by the high court’s decision.
The Trump administration returned to the Supreme Court the following day, requesting that the justices clarify the federal government’s authority to proceed with deporting the immigrants currently held in Djibouti. Sauer urged the court to act swiftly to address what he called Murphy’s “unprecedented defiance” of the court’s authority.
In Thursday’s brief, an unsigned 7-2 opinion, the majority indicated that the court’s “June 23 order stayed the April 18 preliminary injunction in full. The May 21 remedial order cannot now be used to enforce an injunction that our stay rendered unenforceable.”
Two of the Supreme Court’s liberals, Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson, dissented, while the third liberal, Justice Elena Kagan, sided with the court’s conservative majority.
She noted that she had previously disagreed with the Supreme Court’s original ruling permitting third-country removals to proceed. “But a majority of this court saw things differently, and I do not see how a district court can compel compliance with an order that this court has stayed,” she wrote.
The eight illegal immigrants include individuals from Cuba, Vietnam, and Laos, reports noted.
Sotomayor’s dissent contended that “[w]hat the Government wants to do, concretely, is send the eight noncitizens it illegally removed from the United States from Djibouti to South Sudan, where they will be turned over to the local authorities without regard for the likelihood that they will face torture or death.”
She argued that the court should not have considered the government’s request at all, as the government should have made its arguments in the lower courts first. Moreover, she suggested that the Supreme Court’s “continued refusal to justify its extraordinary decisions in this case, even as it faults lower courts for failing to properly divine their import, is indefensible
After the unexpected success of The Old Guard in 2020, fans have been eagerly awaiting the return of their favorite immortal warriors. Now, the anticipation is building once again with the announcement of The Old Guard 2. From updates on the The Old Guard 2 release date to exciting new cast additions, this sequel promises more thrilling action, deeper mythology, and epic battles.
Here’s everything you need to know about The Old Guard 2, including the trailer, the cast of The Old Guard 2, and what fans can expect from the plot.
One of the most asked questions right now is: When is The Old Guard 2 coming out?
As of mid-2025, The Old Guard 2 release date has not been officially confirmed by Netflix. However, reports indicate the movie has completed filming and is currently in post-production. Based on production timelines and release strategies, a late 2025 release—possibly in Q4—is highly likely.
Stay tuned to Netflix’s official announcements for the exact The Old Guard 2 release date.
While fans are still waiting for a full-length The Old Guard 2 trailer, Netflix has teased brief behind-the-scenes footage and concept art, building anticipation. A teaser or official trailer is expected to drop a few months before the film’s release—most likely in the fall of 2025.
Based on early looks, the trailer is expected to showcase:
More globe-trotting action sequences
Powerful flashbacks revealing the team’s past lives
Tension between old alliances and new enemies
Once the The Old Guard 2 trailer drops, fans can expect explosive visuals, a gripping soundtrack, and the same stylish direction that made the first film so compelling.
The cast of The Old Guard 2 sees the return of major players who made the original film so iconic:
Charlize Theron as Andy (Andromache of Scythia) – the ancient warrior and team leader
KiKi Layne as Nile Freeman – the newest immortal with strong moral resolve
Matthias Schoenaerts as Booker – the conflicted team member seeking redemption
Marwan Kenzari and Luca Marinelli as Joe and Nicky – a loving couple with unmatched combat skills
Chiwetel Ejiofor as Copley – former CIA agent turned ally
The sequel introduces new characters that add fresh intrigue to the story. Notably:
Uma Thurman – rumored to play a powerful immortal with ties to Andy’s ancient past
Henry Golding – cast in a mysterious role that could shift the balance of power
The new additions to the cast of The Old Guard 2 are sure to add depth, tension, and possibly betrayal.
While Netflix has kept specific plot details under wraps, we can speculate based on the events of the first movie.
At the end of The Old Guard, Booker was exiled from the group and later confronted by Quynh, Andy’s long-lost immortal companion who was believed to have drowned centuries ago. Her return sets the stage for The Old Guard 2 to dive into:
Quynh’s emotional and possibly vengeful return
Andy grappling with her now-mortal status
The ethical dilemmas of immortality
Possible flashbacks revealing Quynh’s past
Global threats that test the team’s loyalty and strength
With themes of trust, betrayal, and the burden of endless life, The Old Guard 2 promises a richer, darker storyline than its predecessor.
Victoria Mahoney steps in as the director of The Old Guard 2, making history as the first woman of color to direct a major comic-book movie adaptation. Her creative vision brings a fresh, dynamic perspective to the franchise.
Production wrapped in early 2024 after filming across multiple international locations, including the UK and Italy. Expect the same sleek fight choreography, stylized action, and emotionally resonant storytelling that made the original film a standout.
There are several reasons why The Old Guard 2 is one of the most anticipated Netflix films of the year:
Strong character development, especially among the immortals
A focus on morally complex storytelling
Visually stunning action scenes
Representation of LGBTQ+ relationships in mainstream action films
A unique take on the superhero genre without spandex or capes
Whether you loved the emotional arc of Nile or the centuries-long romance between Joe and Nicky, The Old Guard 2 has something for everyone.
With its global fanbase, powerful cast, and emotional storytelling, The Old Guard 2 is gearing up to be a game-changer in the world of action sequels. While we wait for an official The Old Guard 2 release date and the much-anticipated trailer, fans can rest assured that this sequel is worth the wait.
From Charlize Theron’s fierce portrayal of Andy to the mysterious arrival of Quynh, this next chapter promises more than just immortal sword fights—it offers heart, history, and high stakes.