111 Singaporeans face deportation from US

By Phan Anh February 5, 2025 | 04:47 pm PT

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem wears an ICE vest during a briefing with law enforcement agents ahead of immigration raids in New York City, U.S., Jan. 28, 2025. Photo by Reuters

111 Singaporeans have been marked for deportation from the U.S. since November last year by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

They are among over 1.4 million foreign nationals who were marked for deportation, and can be detained by authorities for breaking the law, The Straits Times reported.

ICE currently seeks to deport around seven million people, and 20% of them are expected to be deported within 90 days after receiving deportation orders, according to official statistics. Besides foreigners, they can also be permanent residents who are convicted of crimes, among other criteria, Mothership reported.

However, people marked for deportation can stay in the U.S. if granted "relief from removal", applied for those seeking asylum or those facing persecution in their home countries should they return.

22 Singaporeans had been deported from the U.S. between fiscal years 2019 and 2024, according to ICE statistics.