The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is continuing to facilitate removal flights of noncitizens from several Caribbean and South American countries.
From April 22 to April 26, ICE conducted removal flights transporting single adults and family units to various destinations, including Brazil, Central America, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Jamaica, and Mexico.
The agency collaborated closely with other departments, notably U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
The swift processing and removal of noncitizens without legal grounds to stay in the United States align with established U.S. law.
Since May 12, 2023, up to April 17, 2024, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has overseen the removal or return of over 690,000 individuals, with the majority originating from the Southwest Border. Among them, more than 105,000 were family members. This robust enforcement effort has resulted in more removals and returns than any full fiscal year since 2011.
“As part of its standard procedures, the United States ensures that all noncitizens lacking legal grounds for residency undergo thorough screening for valid protection claims and withholding of removal, adhering to both domestic laws and international obligations. This meticulous process applies universally, regardless of nationality, to ensure the orderly and humane handling of single adults and family units,” ICE said.
Claims for relief or protection
Noncitizens subject to removal proceedings are afforded the opportunity to present their claims for relief or protection before immigration judges in the immigration courts, administered by the Justice Department’s Executive Office for Immigration Review.
“For security reasons, ICE refrains from confirming or discussing future or pending transportation operations,” the agency said.
ICE Air Operations plays a crucial role in facilitating the transfer and removal of noncitizens, including family units, utilizing both commercial airlines and chartered flights to support ICE field offices and other DHS initiatives.
In the fiscal year 2023, ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations conducted a total of 142,580 removals and 62,545 Title 42 expulsions, reaching destinations in more than 170 countries worldwide.
 is continuing to facilitate removal flights of noncitizens from several Caribbean countries.){kind=link}