Migrants in the United States could now be deported to third countries with as little as six hours’ notice, under a newly disclosed internal memo from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)—marking a dramatic escalation in the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement approach.
The memo, dated 9 July and signed by ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons, was obtained by Reuters and first reported by The Washington Post. It outlines a shift in deportation protocol that allows expedited removals to so-called “safe third countries” under “exigent circumstances,” reducing the standard 24-hour notice period to just six hours. This is contingent on the migrant being given a chance to consult with a lawyer.
The policy allows migrants to be deported to nations that have pledged not to persecute or torture them, “without the need for further procedures.” It signals a hardening of the administration’s stance ahead of the upcoming U.S. presidential election, with deportations potentially increasing at scale and speed.
It is reported that the memo comes just weeks after the U.S. Supreme Court lifted a lower court ruling that had restricted such removals. That decision enabled the Trump administration to immediately begin deporting individuals without extended legal screenings for fear of persecution in destination countries.
Following the ruling, eight migrants from Cuba, Laos, Mexico, Myanmar, Sudan, and Vietnam were deported to South Sudan, according to the memo. U.S. officials have also reportedly pressed five African nations—Liberia, Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania and Gabon—to accept deportees from other countries.
The memo outlines that third-country deportations are a strategic tool to remove non-citizens who, in the government’s view, lack legal basis to remain in the U.S.—including those with criminal records or failed asylum claims.
While such deportations have occurred before—during Trump’s first term, for instance, individuals from El Salvador and Honduras were sent to Guatemala—the new ICE directive suggests broader and more frequent application.
Immigration advocates have condemned the policy as dangerous and inhumane, arguing that deporting people to unfamiliar countries, often without familial ties or knowledge of the language, exposes them to significant risk. The expedited nature of the removals further complicates legal intervention or oversight. In contrast, Trump administration officials argue the strategy is necessary to maintain border security and reduce processing backlogs.
An ongoing immigration crackdown targeting undocumented migrants in major U.S. cities has further intensified fears across the Pacific. U.S. immigration records show hundreds of Pacific Islanders—primarily from Fiji, Tonga, and the Marshall Islands—have been marked for deportation. While it remains unclear how or when these deportations will take place, concern is mounting in the region. Pacific leaders are now pushing for a formal panel discussion with U.S. officials to seek clarity and prepare for a potential influx of deportees.
In Tonga’s case, the issue has already entered the diplomatic sphere. The country was reportedly included among 36 nations warned by U.S. authorities about possible visa sanctions if they do not cooperate with deportation requests or fail to agree to “safe third country” arrangements.
It is reported in local media that Prime Minister ‘Aisake Eke has described the warning as “alarming,” though he claims Tonga has not been given a formal deadline. The matter has since been passed on to Crown Prince Tupouto’a, who also serves as Foreign Minister, raising questions over transparency and the government’s internal handling of the situation.
As of now, the U.S. State Department has not confirmed the full list of countries under review, and many governments remain tight-lipped about negotiations—raising questions about transparency and accountability in the process.
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