US immigration authorities may deport migrants to countries other than their own with as little as six hours notice, according to a new policy memo from the Biden administration. The document, issued by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) acting director Todd Lyons, outlines conditions under which deportations to third countries can take place at short notice, provided the migrant has had a chance to speak with an attorney.
As per a report by Reuters, the July 9 memo states that while ICE generally aims to give at least 24 hours’ notice before such removals, it may proceed with only six hours’ notice “in exigent circumstances.” These deportations can occur without additional legal procedures if the receiving country has pledged not to persecute or torture the individual.
The Washington Post first reported on the contents of the ICE memo.
This policy comes after a recent US Supreme Court decision in June that lifted a lower court ruling, allowing the federal government to carry out such deportations without requiring a prior screening for the risk of persecution. The administration has already deported eight migrants-from Cuba, Laos, Mexico, Myanmar, Sudan, and Vietnam-to South Sudan following the ruling.
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As part of its broader strategy, the administration is seeking cooperation from additional countries to accept third-country deportees. Reuters reported that officials from five African nations- Liberia, Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, and Gabon, were recently asked to receive such individuals.
The policy could significantly expand the government’s ability to remove noncitizens swiftly, including those with criminal convictions. However, immigration advocates have raised concerns about the risks. Trina Realmuto, an attorney with the National Immigration Litigation Alliance, said, “The policy falls far short of providing the statutory and due process protections that the law requires.”
Historically, the US has conducted limited third-country deportations. During Donald Trump’s first term, small numbers of migrants from El Salvador and Honduras were sent to Guatemala. Under the Biden administration, Mexico agreed to accept thousands of migrants from countries such as Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela.
The newly issued ICE memo was submitted as evidence in an ongoing lawsuit challenging the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident who was wrongly sent to El Salvador.
(With inputs from Reuters)
As per a report by Reuters, the July 9 memo states that while ICE generally aims to give at least 24 hours’ notice before such removals, it may proceed with only six hours’ notice “in exigent circumstances.” These deportations can occur without additional legal procedures if the receiving country has pledged not to persecute or torture the individual.
The Washington Post first reported on the contents of the ICE memo.
This policy comes after a recent US Supreme Court decision in June that lifted a lower court ruling, allowing the federal government to carry out such deportations without requiring a prior screening for the risk of persecution. The administration has already deported eight migrants-from Cuba, Laos, Mexico, Myanmar, Sudan, and Vietnam-to South Sudan following the ruling.
(Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates)
As part of its broader strategy, the administration is seeking cooperation from additional countries to accept third-country deportees. Reuters reported that officials from five African nations- Liberia, Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, and Gabon, were recently asked to receive such individuals.
The policy could significantly expand the government’s ability to remove noncitizens swiftly, including those with criminal convictions. However, immigration advocates have raised concerns about the risks. Trina Realmuto, an attorney with the National Immigration Litigation Alliance, said, “The policy falls far short of providing the statutory and due process protections that the law requires.”
Historically, the US has conducted limited third-country deportations. During Donald Trump’s first term, small numbers of migrants from El Salvador and Honduras were sent to Guatemala. Under the Biden administration, Mexico agreed to accept thousands of migrants from countries such as Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela.
The newly issued ICE memo was submitted as evidence in an ongoing lawsuit challenging the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident who was wrongly sent to El Salvador.
(With inputs from Reuters)
