Attorney hopes returned deportation flight will help halt clients' deportations

An attorney for two men from Minnesota who were on a deportee flight to Somalia that returned to the U.S. on Friday said she will use the unusual circumstance in an effort to stop the deportations.

Attorney Kim Hunter said the men she represents are being held at a Florida facility and she will ask the courts to expedite an appeal of the deportations.

"Any time that these gentlemen gain in the United States just gives them more time to resolve the underlying issues and hopefully keep them safe and secure from the harm that we are quite certain will befall them if they were to go to Somalia," said Hunter on Saturday.

According to a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement statement, a plane transporting 92 Somali nationals returned to the U.S. after stopping in Dakar, Senegal.

While refueling in Dakar, ICE was notified that due to issues with their hotel, relief crews did not get enough rest.

The aircraft, along with the Somali detainees and crew, remained parked at the airport to give relief crews time to rest. While parked, ICE said the plane maintained power, air conditioning and was stocked with food and water.

ICE said the flight to Somalia will be rescheduled, but no other details are available.

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