As the United States under President Donald Trump ramps up its efforts to deport undocumented immigrants, 545 Zimbabweans have found themselves on the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) non-detained docket, facing potential removal from the country. This comes as part of a broader crackdown that has seen over 500 illegal immigrants detained daily across the US.
The Zimbabweans are among 1,445,549 noncitizens listed by ICE for removal as of November 24, 2024. They are joined by nationals from other countries, including 379 South Africans, 174 Zambians, 15 Mozambicans, and 12 BaTswana. The list also features individuals from as far afield as Monaco and Liechtenstein, each with one national marked for deportation.
ICE’s Stance on Deportations
In a statement, ICE emphasised its commitment to removing undocumented noncitizens who are subject to final orders of removal. “ICE works to remove undocumented noncitizens from the United States once they are subject to final orders of removal in a timely manner,” the agency stated.
The statement also highlighted the US government’s belief that every country is obligated to accept the return of its citizens who are ineligible to remain in the US. “Lack of cooperation from the foreign government delays and, in many cases, inhibits the removal process,” ICE noted.
This issue was brought into sharp focus recently when Colombia refused to allow a US plane carrying 201 of its deported citizens to land. The resulting diplomatic tiff, which saw Trump threaten sanctions, has since been resolved, according to media reports.
Challenges in the Deportation Process
ICE has identified 15 countries as uncooperative in accepting their deported nationals, including Bhutan, Burma, Cuba, and Venezuela. Another 11 countries, such as Bosnia-Herzegovina and Iraq, are considered at risk of non-compliance.
The agency explained that delays in removals often occur due to noncitizens pursuing relief or protection from deportation, such as asylum claims or protection under the Convention Against Torture. “There are several reasons ICE may not be able to effectuate the removal of a noncitizen with a final order of removal,” the agency stated.
Zimbabweans in the US
According to the US Census Bureau, over 80,000 Zimbabweans were living in America as of 2021. Most of them moved to the US in search of better opportunities, driven by Zimbabwe’s struggling economy. Tens of thousands more have fled to Europe, Canada, parts of Asia, New Zealand, and Australia.
The 545 Zimbabweans on ICE’s list are part of a larger group of noncitizens who have been ordered to leave the US but remain on the non-detained docket. This means they are not currently in custody, but their removal is pending due to various legal and logistical challenges.
Trump’s Immigration Policies
President Trump’s ‘America First’ mantra has seen him take a hardline stance on immigration. His administration has cut billions in government spending on third-world Africa and initiated a wave of deportations that shows no signs of slowing down.
Trump has promised to deport millions of people living in the US without permission, a population often referred to as “undocumented,” “unauthorized,” or “illegal.” However, these terms can be misleading. A significant number of these individuals are in the country with temporary permissions, many of which are set to expire during Trump’s term.
Robert Warren, a demographer and former statistics director at the US Immigration and Naturalization Service, noted the complexity of the issue. “It’s true that immigration is high, but it’s hard to sort out who is an undocumented immigrant,” he said. “Most of the public looks at everyone as undocumented — asylum-seekers, T.P.S., DACA — but it’s important to really figure out who is included.”
Temporary Protections and Overlapping Programmes
Many immigrants in the US fall under overlapping programmes that offer temporary protection from deportation. For example, the bulk of those who arrived through one of the Biden-era humanitarian pathways were granted parole for two years. Many of them also have Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and can apply for asylum within their first year in the US.
The Biden administration created special pathways for people fleeing humanitarian crises in Afghanistan, Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, Ukraine, and Venezuela. It also extended TPS for individuals from certain countries. However, upon taking office, Trump issued executive orders aimed at ending these programmes, cancelling existing appointments made through the CBP One app, a tool introduced by the Biden administration to manage border crossings.
The Road Ahead
While Trump has limited power to immediately remove certain groups, such as those with pending asylum claims or protected under DACA, his administration has signalled its intent to prioritise deportations. The focus is likely to be on the nearly 1.4 million people who have already been ordered removed by immigration judges.
However, the process is fraught with challenges. Many of these individuals have been living in the US for years, developing strong ties to their communities, including having children born in the country. Locating and removing them would require significant time and resources.
As the Trump administration continues its crackdown, the fate of the 545 Zimbabweans and thousands of others on ICE’s list remains uncertain. For now, they wait, caught in the crosshairs of a contentious immigration policy that shows no signs of relenting.