On January 12, 2005, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a decision that barred deportation of anyone — even alien felons — to Somalia because that country lacks a functioning central government. The decision was a victory for WLF, which filed a brief urging that the lower court decision be overturned. The Court agreed with WLF that although the U.S. usually does not deport an alien when his native country objects to taking him back, federal law does not prohibit deportations to countries that lack a functioning government capable of formally accepting (or rejecting) its returning citizens. The issue is of critical importance in connection with alien felons from Somalia because there are now more than 8,000 aliens in this country awaiting deportation to Somalia, including several thousand convicted of serious crimes.