ICE can deport illegal immigrants even within six hours of being notified, from the U.S. to third countries, not their home countries, a senior administration official says in an internal document that appears to indicate how to speed up the removal of “millions of aliens” that Republican US President Donald Trump wants.
The document was revealed by the Washington Post.
The agency generally will wait at least 24 hours before deporting someone to a so-called “third” country, according to the internal document, dated Wednesday, July 9, and signed by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) acting director Todd Lyons.
However, it will still be able to deport people to “third” countries even within six hours if it is deemed that “exigent circumstances” exist, the document continues, provided the person has had an opportunity to speak with an advocate.
According to the memo, migrants can be deported to countries where the authorities have promised not to torture or indulge in persecution of them “without the need for further proceedings.”
ICE’s new policy confirms that the Trump administration wants to speed up deportations of immigrants to countries around the world.
The Supreme Court last month moved to lift a lower court order that prohibited such deportations unless assurances are provided that destination countries will not engage in torture or persecution.
Following the ruling, the Trump administration deported eight migrants, from Cuba, Laos, Mexico, Myanmar, Sudan and Vietnam to South Sudan.
Last week, the White House pressed five African countries – Liberia, Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania and Gabon – to accept migrants under deportation, according to a report by Reuters news agency.
Human rights and migrant rights advocates have criticized deportations to “third” countries, calling them an inhumane and dangerous measure as people may face violence, have no ties to them or not even speak their language.
According to Trina Realmuto, a lawyer who has taken on the representation of immigrants who have filed a class action in court against their immediate deportations, the new policy does not guarantee that their due process and rights will be respected “as provided by law.”
The ICE document came to light because it was included in the brief in the deportation case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident, to a maximum security prison in El Salvador.
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