Fact Check: "ICE has never successfully removed anyone to a third country."
What We Know
The claim that "ICE has never successfully removed anyone to a third country" is inaccurate. In fact, there are documented instances where the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has conducted removals to third countries. For example, a recent case involved the removal of an Iranian national to Canada under the Safe Third Country Agreement, which allows for such deportations under specific conditions. Furthermore, the Supreme Court has upheld the legality of third-country removals, indicating that the practice is indeed recognized within the legal framework governing immigration enforcement (Supreme Court ruling).
Additionally, scholarly work on the topic highlights that third-country deportations are part of a broader trend in immigration enforcement, which has been increasingly characterized by expedited processes that often occur outside traditional judicial oversight (Sherman-Stokes, 2020). This indicates that while the process may be controversial and fraught with legal challenges, it is not accurate to say that ICE has never successfully executed such removals.
Analysis
The assertion that ICE has never successfully removed anyone to a third country overlooks substantial evidence to the contrary. The Safe Third Country Agreement is a legal framework that facilitates the removal of individuals to third countries, demonstrating that such actions are not only possible but have been implemented in practice. The case involving the Iranian national is a clear example of ICE utilizing this agreement to carry out a removal.
Moreover, the Supreme Court's decision regarding third-country deportations (source-3) further legitimizes the practice, indicating that it is an accepted part of U.S. immigration law. This legal backing suggests that the claim is not only misleading but fundamentally incorrect.
The source reliability is strong, as the information comes from official government documents, legal rulings, and peer-reviewed academic work. The article by Sarah R. Sherman-Stokes provides a critical examination of the implications of third-country deportations, while the Supreme Court's rulings are authoritative and carry significant weight in legal discussions surrounding immigration enforcement.
Conclusion
Verdict: False. The claim that "ICE has never successfully removed anyone to a third country" is incorrect. There are documented instances of ICE successfully executing third-country removals, supported by legal frameworks and judicial rulings that affirm the practice's legitimacy. The evidence clearly contradicts the claim, demonstrating that ICE has indeed conducted such removals.
Sources
- ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Statistics
- Third Country Deportation by Sarah R. Sherman-Stokes
- SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES
- ERO Buffalo uses the Safe Third Country Agreement to remove Iranian national
- Deportation in the second presidency of Donald Trump
- Supreme Court allows third-country deportations for now
- Updates on Third Country Removals and the D.V.D. Litigation
- About the Data - All ICE Removals
