From Seattletimes · · 1m 10s
Laotian Man Deported to Laos After Year in South Sudan
Laotian man leaves South Sudan after year in detention for Laos after U.S. deportation.
In brief
Laotian man leaves South Sudan after year in detention for Laos after U.S. deportation. A Laotian man deported by the U.S. to South Sudan returned to Laos after over a year in detention. Originally reported by Seattletimes.
Deportation to South Sudan
A Laotian man deported by the United States to South Sudan left for Laos after more than a year in detention.
Detention Timeline
Thongxay Nilakout, 49, was detained in Juba, South Sudan’s capital, since July 2025.
Legal Background
Nilakout was sentenced to life in prison without parole in 1995 for a murder in California but was released in 2023 after a Supreme Court ruling.
Repatriation Process
South Sudan’s Foreign Ministry coordinated repatriation with Laos, providing assurances against torture or ill-treatment upon return.
Deportation Context
Hundreds of U.S. citizens have been deported to African countries, with South Sudan chosen despite its poor human rights record and political instability.
Current Status
Four of the original eight deportees remain in South Sudan, including two Burmese and two Cuban nationals, with a Congolese national joining them.
The main idea
A Laotian man deported by the U.S. to South Sudan returned to Laos after over a year in detention.
