Following a Supreme Court ruling, the Trump administration has begun using third-country deportations more aggressively, leading to fears among migrants and their families about the lack of accountability and transparency in these cases.
U.S. Expands Controversial Deportation Tactics to Third Countries
U.S. Expands Controversial Deportation Tactics to Third Countries
Recent deportations to South Sudan signal a shift in U.S. immigration policy and raise concerns over the safety of migrants.
Eight days after the U.S. government deported eight men to South Sudan on July 4, their current status remains a source of concern. These men, labeled by the Trump administration as “the worst of the worst,” had faced a prolonged legal struggle before their removal. The South Sudan government has claimed that they are now under the care of local authorities but has not disclosed their whereabouts or future safety, leaving their families in the dark since communication ceased upon their arrival.
With the Supreme Court upholding the legality of the deportations, immigration experts predict an increase in similar cases. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has issued new guidance allowing for expedited third-country removals based on dubious assurances that deportees won't face torture or persecution. This policy change is perceived as an opportunity for ICE to act swiftly, potentially processing deportations in as little as six hours if an individual does not express fear of returning to the assigned country.
Trina Realmuto, a lawyer advocating for the deported men, expressed her alarm over this situation, stating that the lack of information contributes to widespread fear among their families. Critics argue that these tactics could lead to enforced disappearances, putting migrants at grave risk while complicating the accountability of U.S. immigration policies. As these new measures take effect, the implications for vulnerable populations are becoming increasingly urgent and problematic.
With the Supreme Court upholding the legality of the deportations, immigration experts predict an increase in similar cases. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has issued new guidance allowing for expedited third-country removals based on dubious assurances that deportees won't face torture or persecution. This policy change is perceived as an opportunity for ICE to act swiftly, potentially processing deportations in as little as six hours if an individual does not express fear of returning to the assigned country.
Trina Realmuto, a lawyer advocating for the deported men, expressed her alarm over this situation, stating that the lack of information contributes to widespread fear among their families. Critics argue that these tactics could lead to enforced disappearances, putting migrants at grave risk while complicating the accountability of U.S. immigration policies. As these new measures take effect, the implications for vulnerable populations are becoming increasingly urgent and problematic.
