Fact Check: Deportees are being dropped in the ocean from a plane

Fact Check: "Deportees are being dropped in the ocean from a plane"

What We Know

Recent claims circulating on social media allege that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is dropping deportees from planes into the ocean. These claims gained traction through viral TikTok videos and other social media posts, suggesting that deportees are shackled and thrown from aircraft over open water. According to a fact check by DW, while ICE does shackle deportees during flights, there is no evidence to support the assertion that individuals are being thrown from planes.

The claims also reference flight tracking data, which is said to show deportation flights circling over the ocean. However, experts in the field, such as Tom Cartwright from the non-profit organization Witness at the Border, have stated that they have tracked over 40,000 ICE flights without encountering any evidence supporting these claims (DW). Furthermore, the Associated Press reported on a specific deportation flight to South Sudan, detailing the individuals involved but not mentioning any incidents of bodies being disposed of in the ocean.

Analysis

The claims about deportees being dropped into the ocean lack credible evidence and are primarily based on anecdotal reports and viral social media content. The source of the original claim appears to be a TikTok video that has not been substantiated by any reliable news outlets or official statements. The fact check by DW highlights the absence of any documented incidents or credible witnesses to support the assertion that deportees are being thrown from planes.

Moreover, the claims about bodies washing up on shores, such as those reported in Spain, have been linked to separate incidents involving migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea, not deportees from the U.S. (Snopes). The viral nature of these claims, combined with the lack of factual backing, raises concerns about misinformation and the potential for public panic.

The reliability of the sources discussing the claims varies. While DW and Snopes are reputable fact-checking organizations, TikTok and similar platforms often lack editorial oversight, making them less reliable for factual information. The claims have been dismissed by experts and officials, including statements from Spain's Civil Guard, which confirmed that there is no evidence connecting the washed-up bodies to U.S. deportations (Lead Stories).

Conclusion

The claim that deportees are being dropped into the ocean from planes is False. There is no credible evidence to support this assertion, and it appears to stem from viral misinformation rather than verified incidents. The analysis of available sources indicates that while ICE does conduct deportation flights, the specific claims of individuals being thrown from planes are unfounded and misleading.

Sources

1. Abuses in the Air: Sports Travel and the Deportation Industry
2. A look at the deportees on plane that headed for South Sudan ...
3. Fact check: Viral ICE deportation claims debunked
4. Breaking down claim bodies of Trump admin deportees washed up ...
5. Is the USA using planes for deportations to throw people ...
6. Is the US using planes for deportations to throw people into ...
7. What We Know About a Viral Video That Claims ICE is Throwing ...
8. Aboard ICE Air: Behind the scenes on a deportation flight