A new policy memo issued by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Todd Lyons has stated that US immigration officials can now deport illegal immigrants to countries other than their own with minimal advance notice
The memo, dated July 9, outlines a framework in which deportations to so-called “third countries” can take place with as little as six hours' notice in “exigent circumstances." In general, ICE will wait at least 24 hours after issuing notice, according to the document obtained by the Washington Post.
“The Secretary may remove noncitizens to a third country that has provided assurances it will not persecute or torture them, without the need for further procedures,” the memo states.
The change, made public following a Supreme Court decision in June, signals the Trump administration’s intent to accelerate removals. That ruling lifted a lower court's restriction that had previously blocked such deportations without a full screening process to determine fear of persecution.
Following the decision, the US deported eight individuals to South Sudan from a variety of countries, including Cuba, Laos, Mexico, Myanmar, Sudan, and Vietnam.
Separately, Reuters reported last week that the administration has been pressuring five African countries—Liberia, Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, and Gabon—to accept deportees from nations other than their own.
