ICE Conducts Mass Deportation of Immigrants from Dallas

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A charter flight at the Dallas airport preparing to depart for deportation of immigrants.

News Summary

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in Dallas deported 122 immigrants, including serious offenders, to China as part of an initiative to enhance immigration enforcement. This operation allowed for the removal of individuals convicted of severe crimes, reflecting new strategies under the current administration. Arrests also occurred at the Dallas federal courthouse as part of efforts to clear immigration backlogs. Advocates express concern over the legality of these tactics, suggesting potential challenges to due process rights in court.

Dallas – The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in Dallas successfully returned 122 immigrants, including individuals convicted of serious crimes, to China on June 3, 2025. This mass deportation was conducted under the auspices of the Department of Homeland Security as part of a wider initiative to address immigration enforcement and clear a backlog of immigration cases across the United States.

The charter flight that repatriated these immigrants included 96 men and 26 women, whose ages ranged from 19 to 68 years. Among the deported individuals were some with particularly serious criminal backgrounds. Notable cases included a 27-year-old man convicted of rape, a 47-year-old man convicted of murder, a 49-year-old man found guilty of drug trafficking, a 50-year-old woman convicted of bribery, and a 55-year-old man involved in human smuggling.

Josh Johnson, the acting Field Office Director of ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Dallas, emphasized that the agency’s efforts to remove individuals convicted of serious crimes have been made possible through enhanced collaboration across various federal agencies.

In addition to this operation, a significant number of arrests were made on May 26, 2025, when ICE agents apprehended several immigrants during scheduled hearings at the Dallas federal courthouse. This marked a new strategy by the Trump administration designed to accelerate the removal of migrants who have entered the U.S. within the last two years. This approach is seen as an effort to alleviate the extensive backlog of immigration cases, which often take years to resolve.

Details on New Tactics

Reports indicate that ICE attorneys have begun dismissing cases against certain migrants by revoking their temporary protected status. This legal maneuver renders them eligible for arrest and deportation. Such operations frequently occur during master calendar dockets, which serve as preliminary checks in the immigration case process.

Broader Context of Enforcement Operations

Several arrests were executed as part of an organized effort by ICE that spanned various areas including Dallas, Irving, Arlington, Fort Worth, and Collin County, specifically targeting immigrants with criminal histories. Data from ICE demonstrates that since 2020, over 48,000 arrests have taken place in the Dallas area, showcasing a persistent commitment to immigration enforcement. This approach is not isolated to Texas; similar deportation operations have been reported in major U.S. cities such as Miami, New York, and Seattle.

However, these tactics have raised alarm among immigration rights advocates who question their legality and constitutionality. Legal analysts contend that these operations could face challenges in court due to concerns over due process rights for those appearing in immigration hearings. Former ICE officials suggest that the agency may need additional personnel and resources to maintain the heightened level of enforcement envisioned under the current administration.

The changing landscape of immigration policy and enforcement continues to evolve, with major implications for countless individuals navigating the immigration system in the United States.