US may deport migrants to ‘third countries’ with just six hours notice: Report

The United States may now deport migrants to countries other than their own with as little as six hours’ notice in certain situations, according to a Reuters report citing a memo from a senior Trump administration official.

The memo, dated July 9 and issued by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) acting director Todd Lyons, states that while ICE typically provides at least 24 hours’ notice before removing someone to a third country officials may proceed with deportation within six hours under exigent circumstances.

These third countries would be those that have assured the US they will not subject deported individuals to persecution or torture, eliminating the need for additional legal procedures before transfer.

The policy signals a potential shift under the Trump administration to expedite migrant removals by expanding deportations to countries around the world.