Daijiworld Media Network - Washington

Washington, Jul 14: In a sweeping shift in immigration policy, the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will now deport migrants to third countries with as little as six hours' notice—even in cases where there are no safety guarantees from the receiving nation.

The move follows a recent US Supreme Court ruling that allows immediate deportations without diplomatic assurances of protection against torture or persecution. ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons informed the agency's workforce about the new guidelines through an internal memo, according to a report.

The policy allows ICE to deport individuals within 24 hours—and in urgent cases, within just six hours—without confirming the safety of deportees in the destination country. In some instances, even those assurances are not required.

This marks a major departure from previous norms, where deportations to third countries were rare and usually required diplomatic protocols. Immigration lawyers have raised concerns that thousands of migrants, including long-time US residents with work permits and families, could be sent to unfamiliar and potentially dangerous countries without a chance to prepare or protest.

“This puts thousands of lives at risk of persecution and torture,” warned Trina Realmuto, Executive Director of the National Immigration Litigation Alliance, which has been challenging the policy in court.

Attorney Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg echoed the alarm, stating, “This is definitely going to affect thousands upon thousands of people who thought they were safe.”

Earlier this year, Realmuto’s organization had sued the Trump administration for sending a Guatemalan migrant to Mexico, where he was kidnapped and assaulted. A lower court had ordered the government to provide at least 10 days’ notice before deportation, giving immigrants a chance to challenge the removal.

However, on June 23, the Supreme Court’s conservative majority overruled that order, allowing deportations to resume immediately without explanation. Justice Sonia Sotomayor dissented, writing, “In matters of life and death, it is best to proceed with caution. In this case, the Government took the opposite approach.”

The ICE memo outlines that deportations can now be carried out based on State Department-approved assurances. If deportees express fear of being sent to a particular third country, they will be screened under the 1994 Convention Against Torture, but such screenings must be completed within 24 hours.

Officials are not required to ask deportees whether they fear returning, leaving it up to the individuals to voice concern.

The Biden administration has not publicly responded to criticism of the change, but immigrant rights groups warn that the fast-tracked process strips vulnerable people of their basic legal protections.

As legal challenges continue, the new policy has already drawn sharp condemnation from rights advocates and former officials who say the US risks violating international obligations by outsourcing deportations without ensuring safety or due process.