DHS facilitates recent family unit removal flights

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facilitated the recent removal of family units to Central America as part of dozens of other routine ICE removal flights conducted throughout the hemisphere and around the world.

Individuals who lack a lawful basis to stay in the in the United States are ordered removed, consistent with US law. All individuals who are removed have been screened for protection concerns. This policy applies to all noncitizens regardless of nationality to ensure the orderly and humane processing, transfer, and removal of family units and others who have been determined to be removeable. Due to operational security reasons, ICE does not confirm or discuss future or pending transportation operations.

ICE Air Operations facilitates the transfer and removal of noncitizens, including family units, via commercial airlines and chartered flights in support of ICE field offices and other DHS initiatives. In fiscal year 2022, ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) conducted 72,177 removals to more than 150 countries worldwide.

B-roll for removal flights is available on DVIDS. DHS has made additional videos available to the public and the media including b-roll footage of removal flights, a public service announcement, and testimonials from migrants who have been removed.