Undocumented Immigrants with Final Removal Orders Not in Detention

This report analyzes data released by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) concerning non-detained individuals with final orders of removal, focusing specifically on nationals from English-speaking Caribbean countries. The data, current as of November 24, 2024, reveals a significant presence of Caribbean nationals among the over 1.4 million individuals on ICE’s non-detained docket. This situation highlights the complexities of immigration enforcement, particularly the challenges in deporting individuals even after final orders have been issued. The report breaks down the data by country, revealing considerable variation in the number of individuals from each Caribbean nation facing potential deportation.

Jamaica has by far the largest number of nationals on the list, with 5,120 individuals facing potential removal. This figure dwarfs the numbers from other Caribbean nations, reflecting Jamaica’s substantial diaspora within the United States. Following Jamaica are Trinidad and Tobago with 1,197 individuals and Guyana with 1,236. While these numbers are significantly lower than Jamaica’s, they still represent a substantial portion of the Caribbean nationals on the non-detained docket. This suggests established migration patterns between these countries and the U.S.

Smaller island nations also contribute to the overall number, albeit in smaller quantities. St. Lucia has 202 individuals, St. Kitts-Nevis has 68, St. Vincent-Grenadines has 127, Barbados has 323, Grenada has 149, Antigua-Barbuda has 110, and Dominica has 104. While individually smaller, these numbers collectively demonstrate that the issue of deportation affects a wide range of Caribbean countries, not just the larger ones. The Bahamas and Belize, while not strictly considered part of the English-speaking Caribbean, are also included in the data with 709 and 899 individuals respectively, further highlighting the regional scope of the issue.

The report underscores the significant challenges ICE faces in carrying out deportations, even with final orders in place. Several factors contribute to this difficulty. International conventions and agreements, such as the Convention Against Torture, offer legal protections to individuals who demonstrate credible fear of persecution or torture in their home countries. These protections can prevent deportation, even when a final order of removal has been issued. Logistical and diplomatic hurdles also play a role, including obtaining necessary travel documents from the individual’s country of origin, which can be a lengthy and complex process depending on the relationship between the U.S. and the nation in question.

The large number of Caribbean nationals on ICE’s non-detained docket has reignited the debate surrounding U.S. immigration policies and their impact on immigrant communities. Advocates for immigrants argue that many of these individuals have established lives in the U.S., contributing to their communities and families, and that deportation would cause significant hardship. They also point to the complexities and often lengthy timelines involved in immigration proceedings, arguing that the system needs reform to be more humane and efficient. Conversely, those who favor stricter immigration enforcement emphasize the importance of upholding the rule of law and argue that individuals with final orders of removal should be deported regardless of the circumstances. This ongoing debate highlights the complex and often emotional issues at the heart of immigration policy.

This data release underscores the intricate relationship between the U.S. and the Caribbean region, particularly concerning migration patterns and immigration enforcement. The significant number of Caribbean nationals on the non-detained docket highlights the longstanding ties between these countries and the U.S. The data also raises important questions about the effectiveness and fairness of current immigration policies and practices. The challenges faced by ICE in enforcing deportation orders illustrate the need for a more nuanced and comprehensive approach to immigration that addresses both the legal and humanitarian aspects of the issue. This ongoing situation will likely continue to fuel discussions about immigration reform and its impact on Caribbean communities in the United States.