The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday cleared the way for the resumption of deportations of undocumented immigrants to foreign countries from which they do not originate, a victory for the Trump administration.

The unsigned decision by the conservative-dominated court came in response to an emergency appeal by the Justice Department seeking to lift a stay imposed by a lower court on the expulsions.

The Supreme Court did not provide an explanation for its decision, and the three liberal justices disagreed. The case challenging these deportations to third countries will now be heard by an appeals court, but the Supreme Court's decision allows them to continue for the time being.

Federal Judge Brian Murphy ordered a halt to deportations to third countries in April, ruling that undocumented immigrants had no opportunity to challenge them.

He said at the time that immigrants should have at least 15 days to challenge their deportation and provide evidence that they risked torture or death if removed from the United States.

The initial case involves eight immigrants convicted of violent crimes in the United States, according to the government. They boarded a flight to South Sudan and have been in Djibouti since the court ruling. They include two Burmese nationals, a Vietnamese national, a Laotian national, two Cubans, a Mexican national, and a South Sudanese national.

Progressive Justice Sonia Sotomayor issued an opinion accusing the administration of "flagrant illegal conduct" that "exposed thousands of people to the risk of torture or death."

"The administration has made it clear, in words and actions, that it does not feel constrained by the law and is free to expel anyone, anywhere, without notice or opportunity to be heard," she added.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) hailed the Supreme Court's decision as a "victory for the safety and security of the American people."

Donald Trump has made the fight against illegal immigration a top priority, referring to an "invasion" of the United States by "criminals from abroad" and speaking extensively about immigrant deportations.

But his mass deportation program has been thwarted or slowed by multiple court rulings, including those from the Supreme Court, notably on the grounds that those targeted should be able to assert their rights.