Donald Trump‘s administration is in the process of executing mass deportations of migrants with final orders of removal. With the backing of a bipartisan sector, the Republican president announced that about 1.5 million migrants will be deported. This figure includes people who already have departure orders issued by immigration judges, according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
During Joe Biden‘s administration, the open borders policy allowed the arrival of more than 10.8 million immigrants, according to Customs and Border Protection (CBP). In addition, an estimated 2 million people crossed the border undetected. Among migrants with final orders of deportation, the countries with the highest representation are Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico and El Salvador.
What Does a Final Order of Deportation Entail?
A deportation order is considered final when no appeal is filed within 30 days, when the Board of Immigration Appeals affirms the judge’s decision, or when the individual waives his or her right to appeal. In such cases, the immigrant is subject to removal, although many of them are currently living at large in various U.S. communities.
Options for Migrants With a Final Order
Migrants with a final order of deportation may choose to voluntarily depart the U.S. within a certain period of time, which allows them to avoid formal deportation. However, repatriation depends on the willingness of the countries of origin to receive their nationals. Some countries, such as Cuba, Venezuela and China, have been labeled as “uncooperative,” for make deportation difficult.
Some migrants may also seek to suspend their deportation on humanitarian grounds, such as serious illness or persecution, but this process is complex and has little chance of success. In addition, due to U.S. law, migrants detained on final orders must be released within a maximum of six months unless they pose a threat to public safety.
Diplomatic Challenges and Possible Solutions
When a country refuses to receive its deported citizens, the U.S. may face diplomatic hurdles. To resolve this situation, it could resort to economic sanctions, visa restrictions or pressure other countries to accept deportees.
Although the future of many migrants remains uncertain, some may seek alternatives, such as Temporary Protected Status (TPS), if conditions in their country are dangerous. However, this temporary relief does not guarantee a permanent solution.
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