Four Tanzanians Await Deportation from the United States

The Tanzanian Embassy in the United States has confirmed that four Tanzanians detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have completed all legal procedures and are set to be deported soon.

Meanwhile, 20 others remain in immigration detention as their cases continue to be processed.

Responding to inquiries regarding the status of undocumented Tanzanians in the U.S., the embassy stated that while the exact timing of the deportations remains unclear, authorities have already requested travel documents for two of the four individuals scheduled for removal.

“We have not yet been informed of the precise date when these Tanzanians will be deported. However, our embassy has been asked to provide travel documents for two of them, which suggests the process could be completed at any time,” the embassy said in a statement.

The deportation follows standard U.S. immigration policies, which mandate the removal of individuals residing in the country without proper documentation.

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According to a recent ICE report, as of November 2024, more than 1.4 million undocumented immigrants from various nations were listed for deportation. Among East African countries, Kenya had the highest number of affected individuals (1,282), followed by Burundi (462), Uganda (393), Rwanda (338), and Tanzania (301).

The embassy also clarified that those deported from the U.S. would not face travel restrictions to other countries. However, under current U.S. immigration laws, they would have to wait ten years before applying for a visa to return.

For many affected individuals, deportation presents significant challenges, including readjusting to life back home after years abroad. While some may attempt legal avenues to remain in the U.S., others will have no choice but to return to Tanzania and start over.