In 2024, the United States deported 119 Angolan citizens. In total, 271,484 foreign nationals were repatriated, including individuals with serious criminal records and ties to terrorism.
The United States of America (USA) deported 119 Angolan citizens in 2024, 49 more than the previous year and three times more than in 2019, according to the annual report by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency is responsible for detention and deportation operations of foreign nationals deemed harmful to the safety of American communities or those who violate immigration laws, as well as for conducting investigations related to national security.
Among other Portuguese-speaking African countries, Cabo Verde stands out with 12 deported citizens, while Guinea-Bissau recorded four cases and Mozambique three.
In 2024, 271,484 foreign nationals were deported to 192 different countries, including 88,763 individuals with charges or convictions for criminal activities, 3,706 known or suspected gang members, 237 known or suspected terrorists, and eight human rights violators, according to the report reviewed by Lusa.
More than 30% of those expelled had criminal records, with an average of 5.63 convictions and/or charges per individual. Many had “extremely severe” criminal records, including individuals sought in their home countries for terrorist activities and involvement in acts of torture.
The report also highlights the “intense diplomatic efforts” that led to an increase in chartered deportation flights to countries in the Eastern Hemisphere, including the first major deportation charter flight to the People’s Republic of China since 2018, as well as flights with stops in Albania, Angola, Egypt, Georgia, Ghana, Guinea, India, Mauritania, Romania, Senegal, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
The issue of repatriating foreign nationals by the United States returned to the spotlight after newly inaugurated U.S. President Donald Trump announced his intention to deport illegal immigrants.
Lusa, 22/01/2025
