U.S. Deports Record Number of Uzbek Nationals in Immigration Crackdowns
The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has deported a record number of citizens of Uzbekistan in the past year, according to a report released on December 19, 2024. The report reveals that 572 individuals from Uzbekistan were deported between September 2023 and September 2024, marking a significant increase compared to previous years.
Overall, a total of 271,484 individuals were deported to 192 countries during this period, the highest annual number in the past decade. This surge in deportations has been attributed to increased flight availability and streamlined return processes to countries such as Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. Deportations were also carried out to countries like Albania, Egypt, India, and Uzbekistan, among others. In a notable development, deportation flights to China resumed in 2024 after a six-year hiatus.
The number of Uzbeks deported from the U.S. has been steadily rising in recent years. In 2022 and 2021, only a small number of Uzbek nationals were deported, but in 2024, a record 572 deportations were recorded. Many Uzbek nationals attempt to enter the U.S. illegally through a circuitous route that includes stops in countries like Turkey, Bolivia, and Mexico. Between 2021 and 2023, an estimated 13,600 citizens of Uzbekistan tried to enter the U.S. through Mexico.
The report also highlights the legal challenges faced by some Uzbek nationals in the U.S. In February 2024, a group of Uzbek nationals who entered the country via Mexico filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration.
Looking ahead, the increase in deportations may continue under the leadership of former President Donald Trump, who has promised mass deportations if elected for a second term. Trump has criticized President Joe Biden’s immigration policies as too lenient and has expressed support for using military force to carry out deportations. Stricter immigration enforcement is expected to be a key focus of Trump’s administration if he returns to office.
