US citizens in other countries

Governments around the world have taken emergency measures in recent weeks due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Some countries took action a little late, when the virus was already inside their territory.

Other countries decided to make decisions to foresee the spread of the virus even before it entered their territory.

Most countries have chosen to take the same preventive measures:

• Close borders with foreign countries.
• Only allow commercial and business interaction with other countries.
• Cancel international flights.
• Some countries have canceled local flights as well.
• Mandatory quarantine.
• Isolation and social distancing.

Nobody imagined that we would be experiencing a pandemic in 2020, therefore, many travelers and tourists left their native countries and have not been able to return home yet.

Many Americans are going through this situation and are asking the government for help to bring them back home.

Government actions

On Monday, March 24, 2020, in a national press, Trump’s government declared that they are planning to bring American citizens who are abroad using the planes of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Service (ICE).

These planes are normally used to deport immigrants free of charge. If an immigrant entered the country illegally and/or his application for residence was rejected, the government returns him to his native country using these planes.

So far, approximately 5,000 Americans have been brought into the country by military or merchandise flights.

However, there are still approximately 13,500 citizens waiting for government help as they are unable to leave the country where they currently are.

Possible problems if ICE planes are used

The decision is not official yet as it still needs to be approved by other areas of the US government.

However, if this idea is accepted, there are possible variables that could generate conflicts:

• If the US does not ask for permission to enter another country’s territory, this could generate a great discord among the nations of the world.
• The danger of the virus spreading could be greater if citizens do not get tested for COVID-19 or if they are not in isolation as soon as they arrive in the country.
• ICE planes are reserved for the use of immigration work, therefore, not everyone may agree to use them for another purpose.

Immigrants in the US

On the other hand, immigrants and immigrant advocates continue to ask the government about suspending deportations for a period of time as it can be a great health hazard to thousands of families.

There are several states where deportation cases are temporarily suspended.

Therefore, not all ICE’ planes are being used at this time and could be destined for another purpose.

If you want to know more

If you need to know more about immigration news in the US, you can contact us by phone and we can answer any questions you might have.

If you have any questions about an immigration issue or relating to a case you may have currently in Progress, then please don’t hesitate to contact us for a FREE Phone Consultation with one of our expert immigration attorneys.

Simply call Motion Law today at: (202) 918-1799.