Politics · India Bureau
US immigration agency conceals locations of thousands facing deportation
The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement has removed thousands of detainees subject to final deportation orders from its public locator system, significantly hampering efforts by lawyers and families to find them. The move, implemented without public announcement, marks a significant shift in transparency practices.
LSN India ·
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement has stopped publicly disclosing the whereabouts of thousands of detainees who have exhausted their legal appeals and face imminent deportation, according to current and former officials familiar with the practice. The detainees were removed from ICE's online locator system on September 15, a change that current and former agency officials confirmed on condition of anonymity, citing lack of authorisation to discuss the matter publicly.
The move has severely complicated efforts by immigration attorneys and family members to locate detainees. Multiple lawyers confirmed to news organisations that their clients had disappeared from the searchable database this week, prompting the American Immigration Lawyers Association to alert its members about the situation.
The decision represents a marked departure from longstanding practice and reflects the stricter immigration enforcement approach being pursued by the current US administration. Immigration advocates have warned that the concealment of detainee locations may prevent individuals from accessing legal remedies and basic due process protections, though ICE has not provided official justification for the change.
The agency has not announced the policy shift or responded to requests for clarification about the rationale behind removing the detainees from public records. Immigration law experts say the lack of transparency raises concerns about accountability and access to justice for those facing deportation.