03/20/2026
On March 12, 2026, the federal government directed immigration prosecutors to stop filing new motions that would send asylum seekers to “third countries.”
✅ A third-country deportation means removing someone to a country that is not their home country and where they may have no ties or protection.
✅ This directive marks a shift from prior practice following an October 31 Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) decision that expanded the use of pretermission motions, allowing immigration judges to deny cases without a full hearing where applicants are legally ineligible.
✅ The ruling allowed broader use of pretermission motions, where immigration judges deny applications such as asylum without a full hearing.
✅ In recent months, these motions were increasingly used to fast-track removals, including to third countries, raising legal and due process concerns.
📌Many were denied full asylum hearings
📌 Third-country removals may put people at risk
📌 The process may conflict with U.S. and international asylum protections
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If you need help or guidance with any U.S. immigration matters, especially with these major changes, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re always ready to assist you.
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📨: [email protected]
Post by Diana
From the AK Poku Law Team
