3065 Sri Lankans on U.S. Deportation List

3,065 Sri Lankans on U.S. Deportation List

As of November 24, 2024, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has identified 3,065 Sri Lankan nationals on its non-detained docket with final orders of removal.

3,065 Sri Lankans on U.S. Deportation List

This number is part of a broader list of approximately 1.4 million individuals from various countries who are facing deportation.

The main reasons for these deportation orders vary, but they primarily include final orders of removal, pending legal proceedings, criminal convictions, non-compliance with immigration laws, and the level of cooperation from Sri Lanka in accepting returnees.

Many Sri Lankans on the deportation list have received final orders of removal after failing to secure asylum or other legal protections.

Immigration courts issue these orders when individuals exhaust all legal options and are no longer eligible to stay in the U.S. Additionally, some Sri Lankans have pending legal proceedings, such as applications for asylum, withholding of removal, or protection under the Convention Against Torture, which complicates their deportation status and delays enforcement.

Another significant reason for deportation is criminal convictions. Individuals found guilty of crimes that render them removable under U.S. immigration law are often placed on the deportation list.

These crimes may include drug offenses, fraud, or violent crimes. Non-compliance with immigration laws is also a major factor, as individuals who entered the U.S. without authorization or overstayed their visas face removal due to violations of immigration regulations.

The level of cooperation from Sri Lanka in verifying citizenship and accepting deported individuals also plays a role in the deportation process.

While Sri Lanka is not among the 15 countries classified as uncooperative in accepting deported nationals, logistical challenges such as travel document verification and coordination with U.S. authorities still impact the efficiency of deportations.

The current enforcement landscape reflects a stringent approach to immigration policies in the U.S., raising concerns about human rights and the impact of deportation on families. While legal and logistical hurdles may delay deportations, ICE continues to prioritize the removal of individuals with final orders, particularly those with criminal records or visa violations.