Deportation Flights: Trampling Migrant Rights and Endangering Asylum-Seekers
Introduction
In a chilling development, the Trump administration has initiated deportation flights that are bypassing asylum laws and potentially placing asylum-seekers in grave danger. These flights, transporting migrants from the U.S.-Mexico border to third countries, have raised concerns among immigrant advocates and attorneys.
The Case of Artemis Ghasemzadeh
Artemis Ghasemzadeh, a 27-year-old Iranian Christian, shared her harrowing experience on social media. She described being shackled, flown six hours on a military plane, and detained in a hotel room in Panama along with eight others, including children. Their passports and documents had been confiscated, and they had not received "credible fear" interviews to determine their eligibility for asylum.
Trump’s Deportation Strategy
These deportation flights are part of President Trump’s broader strategy to outsource deportations and remove as many undocumented immigrants as possible. The administration has also designated eight gangs from Latin America as foreign terrorist organizations, expanding the reach of U.S. law enforcement.
Violation of Migrant Rights
Immigrant advocates condemn these flights as a violation of migrant rights. According to Hillary Walsh, an immigration attorney in Phoenix, they effectively eliminate asylum law. They fail to provide proper asylum screenings and leave migrants in dangerous situations where they could face persecution upon their return.
The Plight of Iranian Christians
Iranian Christians, in particular, face a compelling case for asylum. Sharia law in Iran punishes conversion from Islam with death. The vast majority of Iranian immigrants in the U.S. arrive legally, but the recent uptick in Iranians at the border reflects the desperation and prolonged wait times they encounter when attempting to reach safe haven through third countries.
Unprecedented Flights
The use of military cargo flights for deportation is unprecedented. U.S. officials could easily transport migrants on commercial charter flights at a fraction of the cost. Moreover, many of the migrants on these flights, such as those from Nepal and India, could be directly deported to their countries of origin, but the administration is instead paying to send them to third countries.
Legal Challenges
Immigrant rights groups have filed a lawsuit in federal court challenging the legality of the executive order that authorizes these deportations. They argue that the president lacks the authority to unilaterally override asylum protections.
Concerns for Ghasemzadeh and Others
Ghasemzadeh and the other Iranian Christians have been transferred to a remote migrant center in Panama. Their rights and access to legal assistance are uncertain. Attorneys fear that they could be returned to Iran, where they face potential harm.
Conclusion
The Trump administration’s deportation flights are a dangerous affront to migrant rights and asylum law. They undermine the United States’ long-standing commitment to protecting those fleeing persecution and place vulnerable individuals in grave danger. The legality of these flights is being challenged in court, but their impact on the lives of those affected will continue to reverberate long after they land.
