The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been actively deporting individuals with no legal standing to remain in the United States, with a recent spate of removal flights occurring from March 4 to March 8. These flights were destination-bound to various countries, including Albania, Georgia, Central America, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Romania, and Uzbekistan, according to an ICE press release.

Amidst the intensifying operations, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) now boasts removal or return of over 599,000 individuals since May 12, 2023. In this group, more than 94,000 were part of family units, the overwhelming majority having crossed the Southwest Border. Flights were arranged for the removal of individuals, consistent with U.S. law, without confirming or discussing future or pending operations, according to ICE for operational security reasons.

ICE emphasizes that every noncitizen with no legal right to stay in the U.S. undergoes a thorough screening for valid protection claims and withholding of removal, aligning with the nation's laws and international obligations. Regarding national origin, the agency assures that the processing, transfer, and removal of single adults and family units is both orderly and humane. Individuals placed in removal proceedings have the opportunity to present their claims before immigration judges in the courts managed by the Justice Department's Executive Office for Immigration Review.

In supporting their field offices and other DHS initiatives, ICE Air Operations backs the transfer and removal of noncitizens via both commercial airlines and chartered flights. ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations reported conducting 142,580 removals and 62,545 Title 42 expulsions in the fiscal year 2023, affecting more than 170 countries around the globe. To the public and media, DHS has made available additional videos, including footage of removal flights and migrant testimonials post-removal, designed to raise awareness.