For years, immigrants in the United States have lived with the understanding that deportation, while always a risk for those without lawful status, usually meant removal to their country of origin. But that understanding is being turned on its head. Under the Trump administration’s renewed immigration agenda, federal agencies have ramped up what are known as third-country deportations: sending individuals not back to their home countries, but to unfamiliar, often dangerous nations with no personal or cultural connection.
People are being placed on international flights to countries they’ve never been to, places like South Sudan, or Panama without the time to call a lawyer, contact their family, or understand their legal rights. What once seemed unthinkable is now happening in plain sight.
The message this administration is sending is clear: deportation doesn’t have to mean returning to where you came from. It can now mean removal to wherever the U.S. can strike a deal, regardless of safety, language, family ties, or medical needs. These decisions are being made behind closed doors, and without the legal notice or transparency many believe they are entitled to. If you’re living in Waterbury, Hartford, Danbury, Norwalk, Bridgeport, or anywhere else in Connecticut, and you’re not 100% sure where you stand with immigration, this is the moment to ask questions. Even if you’ve lived here for years without issue, even if you’ve never been in trouble, and even if you have a pending case, you may still be vulnerable.
What Are Third-Country Deportations?
Third-country deportations refer to the practice of sending individuals to a country other than the one they are from. Although not new in principle, this tactic has historically been rare. Under the current administration, however, the strategy has been revived and expanded to fast-track deportations, reduce legal challenges, and offload responsibility to other nations, often with little regard for the safety or human rights of those being deported.
These deportations are now happening faster and with less legal warning. Instead of being told they are being removed to, say, Guatemala or Vietnam, individuals may suddenly find themselves on a plane to South Sudan, Uganda, or Djibouti—countries they’ve never visited and where they have no legal, cultural, or family ties.
Countries Currently Involved in Third-Country Deportation Agreements
The administration has signed deportation agreements with a growing number of countries including:
- South Sudan
- Uganda
- Djibouti
- Honduras
- El Salvador
- Costa Rica
- Panama
- Paraguay
English 
Spanish 
Portugese 
What Did the Supreme Court Decide?
In June 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a lower court ruling that had required a 15-day notice period before a person could be deported to a third country. That lower court ruling aimed to give immigrants time to:
- Contact an attorney
- File a motion to stop deportation
- Present evidence of persecution, torture risk, or medical hardship
By lifting that requirement, the Supreme Court has opened the door to rapid deportation with minimal safeguards, even for individuals with pending claims or serious legal defenses.
Connecticut Immigrants Are Not Immune
Although Connecticut has laws like the Trust Act to limit local cooperation with ICE, federal officers are still arresting and removing people.
In one recent operation, ICE detained 65 individuals across Connecticut in just four days. Some had prior criminal convictions, while others had immigration infractions only. Whether you’ve lived here for 5 years or 25, if you are undocumented or have a pending status, you need to be aware that federal enforcement does not stop at your state’s borders.
Legal Consequences of Third-Country Deportation
Being removed to a third country can be life-altering and often irreversible. Here’s what you risk if deported under these new rules:
- Permanent Bars to Reentry: Removal to a third country may still trigger long-term or lifetime bans from reentering the U.S.
- Separation from Family: You may be removed without the opportunity to secure custody of your children or inform your spouse.
- Loss of Pending Immigration Benefits: Applications for asylum, cancellation of removal, or family-based green cards may be voided upon removal.
- Danger in the Receiving Country: Many of these countries have ongoing conflict, food insecurity, or poor healthcare.
Why This Enforcement Shift Matters Now
This policy shift is not happening in isolation. It follows months of aggressive tactics, including:
- ICE raids, even in sensitive areas
- Reintroduction of rapid deportation programs
- Detentions without criminal charges
- Use of Medicaid and social service data to target immigrants
This wave of enforcement has created fear and confusion across immigrant communities. But fear should not lead to silence or inaction. Legal help is available and it can be the difference between staying with your family or being flown to an unknown country overnight.
Q&A: What You Need to Know About Third-Country Deportations
Q: Can I be deported to a country I’ve never lived in?
A: Yes. Under current policy, you can be deported to any country willing to accept you, even if you’ve never been there.
Q: Will I be notified before being deported?
A: Not necessarily. The Supreme Court no longer requires the government to give 15 days’ notice before deportation to a third country.
Q: What if I have a lawyer?
A: A lawyer can file emergency motions, appeal your removal, and request a stay of deportation but only if they are informed before you’re removed.
Q: What if I’m afraid for my life in the country they’re sending me to?
A: You must present that evidence quickly. If possible, file an asylum or withholding of removal claim before ICE issues removal orders.
Q: What if my immigration case is still pending?
A: You may still be deported if no formal protections are in place (e.g. no stay order or pending appeal). You need legal help immediately.
Why Waiting to Get a Lawyer Could Cost You Everything
If you’re reading this and wondering whether you really need an immigration lawyer, ask yourself this:
What happens if ICE shows up at your door tomorrow?
Too many people wait until the moment of crisis to ask for legal help, when they’ve already been detained, when a deportation flight is scheduled, or when their family doesn’t know where they are. By then, your options may be limited, and your rights harder to defend.
That’s why one of the smartest things you can do right now is speak with an immigration attorney who knows how these cases actually unfold in Connecticut.
Here’s what a qualified immigration attorney can do for you—before the situation spirals out of control:
Help You Understand Your Immigration Record
Do you know exactly what’s in your file? An attorney can request and review your records, check for any prior orders of removal, and explain what you’re up against. Many immigrants don’t even realize they have a pending issue that could trigger enforcement.
Identify the Risk of Third-Country Deportation
Right now, the government is deporting immigrants not just to their countries of origin but to third countries with serious human rights concerns. If there’s even a remote chance your case falls into this category, you need to act. An attorney can assess the risk and build a legal shield around your case.
Prepare Emergency Filings and Relief
If you’ve been detained, time is everything. A lawyer can file a motion to reopen, seek a stay of removal, and present critical evidence like updated country conditions, new family ties, or humanitarian factors. Without this advocacy, your case may move forward without any of those facts being considered.
Put the Government on Notice
When you have legal representation, immigration authorities are required to contact your attorney before taking certain actions. That means your lawyer becomes a point of contact, a line of defense, and in many cases, a lifeline for your family. Without an attorney on record, your case may be pushed through the system without any real opportunity to respond.
Give You the Power of Legal Strategy
Immigration law is full of technicalities. What form you file, how you respond to notices, which court you appear in, all of it matters. A strong attorney will build a plan specific to your situation, not just hand you generic advice. That kind of preparation can be the difference between deportation and the chance to remain in the U.S.
Think Strategically. Protect Yourself and Your Family.
Immigration enforcement is a top priority under the Trump administration, and many long-term residents are finding themselves in ICE custody, often with no prior notice.
So ask yourself: Could I be next?
- Have you ever received a letter from immigration and set it aside because you weren’t sure what it meant?
- Are you unsure whether your visa expired or whether an old order of removal might still be active?
- Do you know what would happen if you were stopped by ICE at work, outside your home, or even at court?
- Have you filed any applications or petitions in the past that are still pending? Are you assuming that pending paperwork is enough to protect you?
Many immigrants mistakenly believe that having no criminal record means they are safe. That’s not always true. Others think they don’t need to worry because they’ve lived in Connecticut for years, paid taxes, or have U.S. citizen children. But ICE doesn’t always take those factors into account during an arrest. This is exactly why having answers now matters.
At The Law Offices of James A. Welcome, we’ve spent over two decades fighting for immigrant families in Connecticut. We understand the fear, the legal confusion, and the overwhelming pressure you may feel. But you do not have to face this alone.
What Immigrants in Connecticut Should Be Asking Themselves Right Now
Have I ever received immigration documents I didn’t fully understand?
A lot of people receive mail from USCIS or ICE and ignore it out of fear or confusion. But not understanding a notice doesn’t mean it goes away. Some documents may contain deadlines, court dates, or removal orders you didn’t realize were active. If you’ve ever received something and weren’t sure what to do, now is the time to bring it to an attorney who can explain it to you clearly.
Do I know exactly what my immigration status is?
Many immigrants assume that if they filed an application or have a work permit, they are safe. That’s not always the case. Are you waiting for a decision on a petition? Do you have an expired visa or a pending asylum case? Understanding what stage you are in: approval, denial, appeal, or nothing at all can drastically change how vulnerable you are to removal.
Could I be deported without warning?
The answer may surprise you. ICE may not give prior notice. You could be picked up at a traffic stop, courthouse, job site, or even your own home. And with the Supreme Court’s green light on fast-track deportations, certain individuals can now be sent to third countries before they even have a chance to notify an attorney or their families.
Is there a prior order of removal on my record?
This is a critical question. Some immigrants have old orders they’re not even aware of. These could have been issued in absentia or based on missed hearings from years ago. Having an attorney check your immigration history and EOIR records can uncover serious risks before they become emergencies.
Have I been fingerprinted or arrested before?
Even minor charges or arrests, even if they were dismissed, can create complications. ICE sometimes uses fingerprint records from past criminal or immigration cases to locate and detain individuals. You may be targeted without knowing that you were already on a list.
Am I safe because I’ve lived in Connecticut a long time?
Connecticut has historically been a state that supports immigrant protections, but time alone is not a defense to removal. Even people who have lived here for 20 years, paid taxes, own homes, and have U.S. citizen children have been detained. ICE does not always care about roots or community ties.
Do I have a valid form of relief if I am placed into removal proceedings?
Relief means legal protection from deportation. This could be asylum, cancellation of removal, adjustment of status, or another form of relief. But many immigrants don’t know what might apply to them until it’s too late. A qualified immigration attorney can help identify whether you may qualify before you’re placed into proceedings.
Who will help my family if I’m detained?
This is one of the hardest questions to ask, but it’s also one of the most important. If you’re the main provider or caregiver, you need to plan for the worst while hoping for the best. That starts with building a legal strategy today, not after an arrest.
Schedule a Confidential Consultation Today
If you or someone you care about is at risk of deportation, especially under third-country removal orders—now is the time to protect your rights. Every moment matters. The immigration system is changing fast, and without legal guidance, your case could be swept away without warning. Call (203) 753-7300 or visit www.welcomelawfirm.com to schedule a confidential consultation with an experienced Connecticut immigration attorney. Attorney James A. Welcome has spent over two decades helping individuals and families defend their right to stay in the U.S. and build a better future.
Do not wait for ICE to knock on your door. Partner with a trusted Connecticut law firm.
