The United States will deport at least eight Pakistani nationals via a special flight that will depart on the 26th of February and arrive in Pakistan on the 27th of February, WION has learned from reliable sources. This will be the first direct deportation flight from the United States to Pakistan, which will be carrying illegal migrants.
The flight, which will have illegal Pakistani migrants who are currently in custody of the US, will land at Rawalpindi&rsquo;s Nur Khan airbase on Thursday.
Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-war-stunning-shift-of-policy-as-us-sides-with-russia-to-vote-against-un-resolution-8753792" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Ukraine war: Stunning shift in policy as US sides with Russia to vote against UN resolution</a>
The United States administration had sent about 10 odd names for verification of nationality to the Pakistani authorities, out of which eight were verified, leading to the deportation flight being arranged by the US administration.
The Pakistani diaspora in the United States is small and comprises of about 680,000 nationals in numbers.
Illegal migrants from Pakistan don&rsquo;t even make up a fraction of the figure, it is said.
Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-warns-russia-ukraine-war-could-trigger-world-war-iii-says-talks-with-putin-proceeding-very-well-8753751" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Trump meets Macron, warns Russia-Ukraine crisis could trigger World War III</a>
The exact number of undocumented Pakistanis in the US was disputed due to varying calculation methods. Estimates for the year 2022 ranged from 7,000 to 15,000, according to the US department of homeland security data.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said earlier that the deportation flights were an effective way to stem the flow of illegal migration, which he said has a destructive and destabilising effect.
The US State Department further said that such deportations send a message of deterrence to other people who may be considering migrating illegally.
Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/there-can-never-be-nuclear-iran-netanyahu-rubio-discuss-hamas-trumps-gaza-plan-and-tehrans-aggression-8726530" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&lsquo;There can never be nuclear Iran&rsquo;: Netanyahu, Rubio discuss Hamas, Trump&rsquo;s Gaza plan, and Tehran&rsquo;s &lsquo;aggression&rsquo;</a>

World South Asia Pakistan: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said earlier that the deportation flights were an effective way to stem the flow of illegal migration, which he said has a destructive and destabilising effect.

The United States will deport at least eight Pakistani nationals via a special flight that will depart on the 26th of February and arrive in Pakistan on the 27th of February, WION has learned from reliable sources. This will be the first direct deportation flight from the United States to Pakistan, which will be carrying illegal migrants. The flight, which will have illegal Pakistani migrants who are currently in custody of the US, will land at Rawalpindi’s Nur Khan airbase on Thursday. Also read: Ukraine war: Stunning shift in policy as US sides with Russia to vote against UN resolution The United States administration had sent about 10 odd names for verification of nationality to the Pakistani authorities, out of which eight were verified, leading to the deportation flight being arranged by the US administration. The Pakistani diaspora in the United States is small and comprises of about 680,000 nationals in numbers. Illegal migrants from Pakistan don’t even make up a fraction of the figure, it is said. Also read: Trump meets Macron, warns Russia-Ukraine crisis could trigger World War III The exact number of undocumented Pakistanis in the US was disputed due to varying calculation methods. Estimates for the year 2022 ranged from 7,000 to 15,000, according to the US department of homeland security data. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said earlier that the deportation flights were an effective way to stem the flow of illegal migration, which he said has a destructive and destabilising effect. The US State Department further said that such deportations send a message of deterrence to other people who may be considering migrating illegally. Also read: ‘There can never be nuclear Iran’: Netanyahu, Rubio discuss Hamas, Trump’s Gaza plan, and Tehran’s ‘aggression’

Exclusive: US to send first special deportation flight to Pakistan with illegal migrants on Thursday

An Indian national Jaspal Singh, 57, passed away in an Atlanta hospital, while he was in immigration custody awaiting deportation proceedings.&nbsp;

The Indian Consulate and his next of kin have been informed.

Singh died at a hospital in Atlanta on April 15. An autopsy is pending to determine the official cause of death, ICE said.

Jaspal Singh&nbsp;first entered the US legally on October 25, 1992. On January 21, 1998, an immigration judge ordered Singh's removal from the US, and on an unknown date, Singh returned to India voluntarily.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/world/another-indian-student-dies-in-us-probe-underway-708227" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/another-indian-student-dies-in-us-probe-underway-708227&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwj3g9G73MqFAxUzamwGHfr4C80QFnoECAkQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw0ZQOKTp8GK0CXdeX0k5sCO&amp;arm=e" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/another-indian-student-dies-in-us-probe-underway-708227" target="_blank">Indian student dies in&nbsp;US&nbsp;state of Ohio, probe underway</a>

On June 29, 2023, he was arrested by US Border Protection's Border Patrol officers while illegally trying to reenter the United States at the US-Mexico Border.

Border Patrol transferred custody of Singh to Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), Atlanta. He was detained at a federal processing centre in Atlanta where he continued his immigration proceedings.

To ensure transparency, Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) is required to notify Congress, relevant NGOs, and the media within two business days of a non-citizen's death in a detention facility. Additionally, a news release with details is posted on their public website.

(With inputs from agencies)

An Indian national Jaspal Singh, 57, passed away in an Atlanta hospital, while he was in immigration custody awaiting deportation proceedings. The Indian Consulate and his next of kin have been informed.

An Indian national Jaspal Singh, 57, passed away in an Atlanta hospital, while he was in immigration custody awaiting deportation proceedings. The Indian Consulate and his next of kin have been informed. Singh died at a hospital in Atlanta on April 15. An autopsy is pending to determine the official cause of death, ICE said. Jaspal Singh first entered the US legally on October 25, 1992. On January 21, 1998, an immigration judge ordered Singh's removal from the US, and on an unknown date, Singh returned to India voluntarily. Also read: Indian student dies in US state of Ohio, probe underway On June 29, 2023, he was arrested by US Border Protection's Border Patrol officers while illegally trying to reenter the United States at the US-Mexico Border. Border Patrol transferred custody of Singh to Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), Atlanta. He was detained at a federal processing centre in Atlanta where he continued his immigration proceedings. To ensure transparency, Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) is required to notify Congress, relevant NGOs, and the media within two business days of a non-citizen's death in a detention facility. Additionally, a news release with details is posted on their public website. (With inputs from agencies)

Indian man awaiting deportation proceedings dies in US hospital

The United States will expand the scope of a program that returns non-Mexican migrants crossing Mexico's border to that country to await their US&nbsp;court hearings, the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/immigration-hawk-promoted-to-us-homeland-security-acting-deputy-262013">Department of Homeland Security</a> said on Thursday.

Washington already has sent more than 56,000 migrants to Mexico under the program, known as the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP). The majority have been Central Americans applying for US asylum.

The effort — which had been implemented over the past year at ports of entry in Texas and California — will be applied at a port of entry south of Tucson, Ariz. Previously, migrants encountered in that area had been sent to El Paso, Texas, to process their return to Mexico.

US&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kim-a-man-of-his-word-on-denuclearization-donald-trump-271377">President Donald Trump</a> has made immigration enforcement a major focus of his first term in office and has continued to press the issue in the run-up to the 2020 presidential election.

Acting DHS Secretary Chad Wolf said in a written statement on Thursday that the MPP program has been "an extremely effective tool" for the United States.

Advocates counter that the initiative exposes migrants to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-cabinet-opposed-mexican-cartel-policy-trump-forged-ahead-270508">violence in Mexico</a> and restricts their ability to seek protection in the United States. The US&nbsp;consulate in Mexico’s border city of Nuevo Laredo issued a security alert on Wednesday, warning against gun battles and urging government employees to take precautions.

Mexico’s asylum agency, known as COMAR, said on Wednesday that it had received 66,915 applications for asylum in 2019, up nearly 126 per cent&nbsp;from the previous year.

The agency has struggled to process the crush of applications with limited resources. COMAR received 20 million pesos ($1.05 million) in funding from the Mexican government in 2019, the lowest sum in seven years.

In December, US&nbsp;border authorities expanded a separate program to process asylum cases rapidly to the Rio Grande Valley in Texas, according to CBS News. The programme, known as Prompt Asylum Claim Review (PACR), had been launched months earlier as a pilot in the El Paso area.

US&nbsp;authorities have not specified the criteria to place migrants in a growing array of border programs, which include MPP, PACR and another initiative that sends asylum seekers from Honduras and El Salvador to request protection in Guatemala.

Rodney Scott, acting deputy chief of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/french-citizen-dead-in-us-custody-ice-271529">US&nbsp;Border Patrol</a>, told reporters in December that the factors "change on a daily basis" but are determined in coordination with the receiving countries.

The United States will expand the scope of a program that returns non-Mexican migrants crossing Mexico's border to that country to await their US court hearings, the Department of Homeland Security said on Thursday.

The United States will expand the scope of a program that returns non-Mexican migrants crossing Mexico's border to that country to await their US court hearings, the Department of Homeland Security said on Thursday. Washington already has sent more than 56,000 migrants to Mexico under the program, known as the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP). The majority have been Central Americans applying for US asylum. The effort — which had been implemented over the past year at ports of entry in Texas and California — will be applied at a port of entry south of Tucson, Ariz. Previously, migrants encountered in that area had been sent to El Paso, Texas, to process their return to Mexico. US President Donald Trump has made immigration enforcement a major focus of his first term in office and has continued to press the issue in the run-up to the 2020 presidential election. Acting DHS Secretary Chad Wolf said in a written statement on Thursday that the MPP program has been "an extremely effective tool" for the United States. Advocates counter that the initiative exposes migrants to violence in Mexico and restricts their ability to seek protection in the United States. The US consulate in Mexico’s border city of Nuevo Laredo issued a security alert on Wednesday, warning against gun battles and urging government employees to take precautions. Mexico’s asylum agency, known as COMAR, said on Wednesday that it had received 66,915 applications for asylum in 2019, up nearly 126 per cent from the previous year. The agency has struggled to process the crush of applications with limited resources. COMAR received 20 million pesos ($1.05 million) in funding from the Mexican government in 2019, the lowest sum in seven years. In December, US border authorities expanded a separate program to process asylum cases rapidly to the Rio Grande Valley in Texas, according to CBS News. The programme, known as Prompt Asylum Claim Review (PACR), had been launched months earlier as a pilot in the El Paso area. US authorities have not specified the criteria to place migrants in a growing array of border programs, which include MPP, PACR and another initiative that sends asylum seekers from Honduras and El Salvador to request protection in Guatemala. Rodney Scott, acting deputy chief of the US Border Patrol, told reporters in December that the factors "change on a daily basis" but are determined in coordination with the receiving countries.

US to expand scope of program to return migrants to Mexico: Department of Homeland Security

21 Savage's lawyer confirmed Monday that the Grammy-nominated rapper had overstayed his visa as a child, but vowed he would fight for his right to remain in the United States after his arrest by immigration agents.

The 26-year old chart-topper -- real name Sha Yaa Bin Abraham-Joseph -- <a href="http://www.wionews.com/entertainment/rapper-21-savage-arrested-in-america-for-being-a-british-194917">was detained in the southern city of Atlanta Sunday </a>by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE), which says he is a British citizen.

"As a minor, his family overstayed their work visas, and he, like almost two million other children, was left without legal status through no fault of his own," the rapper's attorney Charles Kuck said in a statement.

"The continued detention of Mr. Abraham-Joseph serves no other purpose than to unnecessarily punish him and try to intimidate him into giving up his right to fight to remain in the United States."

Kuck said his client has a pending application for a U visa, which is for victims of crimes who have faced mental or physical abuse in the United States.&nbsp;

"Mr Abraham-Joseph has never hid his immigration status from the US government," Kuck said.&nbsp;

"The Department of Homeland Security has known his address and his history since his filing for the U Visa in 2017, yet they took no action against him until this past weekend."

21 Savage has long said he is a local act from Atlanta, the state capital of Georgia, which is considered the home of hip hop innovation.

According to Bryan Cox, a spokesman for the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE), he came to the US legally as a inor in 2005 but "became unlawfully present in the US" when his visa expired a year later.

Cox said the artist was convicted of felony drug charges in October 2014.

"Mr. Abraham-Joseph is presently in ICE custody in Georgia and has been placed into removal proceedings before the federal immigration courts," the statement said.

Kuck said his client should be released on bond, saying he "is not a flight risk, as he is widely recognizable, and a prominent member of the music industry."

The lawyer also said 21 Savage supports his three children, who are US citizens, which makes him eligible for deportation relief.&nbsp;

'Free 21'

The musician's arrest sent shockwaves through social media, with a number of top artists and industry insiders backing the young rapper.

"SUCCESSFUL BLACK MAN," tweeted Offset, one third of the Atlanta hip hop trio Migos.&nbsp;

"THEY ALWAYS TRY SOME WAY TO BRING US DOWN."

"Free 21," tweeted hip hop artist Meek Mill, who was released from prison last year after his unexpectedly heavy sentence for a parole violation sparked protests over racial bias in US probation laws.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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Free 21 🗡
— Meek Mill (@MeekMill) <a href="https://twitter.com/MeekMill/status/1092215435720884224?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 4, 2019</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

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What happened to 21 Savage is another reminder that “criminality” is a largely subjective concept. It’s not a static state of being, it’s a decision made by ppl in positions of authority to wield punitive power against certain ppl while ignoring the transgressions of others.
— Clint Smith (@ClintSmithIII) <a href="https://twitter.com/ClintSmithIII/status/1092429111144923136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 4, 2019</a></blockquote>
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i just hope that whenever the meteor that's gonna end us all lands it hits me directly in the forehead
— Trey Smith (@SlimiHendrix) <a href="https://twitter.com/SlimiHendrix/status/1092454142331764736?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 4, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Rappers Lil Yachty and Vince Staples echoed that call, along with Alex Tumay, a mix engineer who regularly works with Atlanta artists.

"Abolish ICE," Tumay tweeted. "ICE arresting celebrities to divert attention from the fact they just admitted they can't reconnect kids with their parents."

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ICE arresting celebrities to divert attention from the fact they just admitted they can’t reconnect kids with their parents and y’all eating it up. Yikes.
— alex tumay (@alextumay) <a href="https://twitter.com/alextumay/status/1092179019217469446?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The agency has come under fire for its aggressive enforcement of the "zero tolerance" immigration policies of President Donald Trump, including guidelines implemented last summer that led to Latin American children being separated from their parents at the US-Mexico border.

Murky origins

21 Savage, known for his conversational, subdued rap delivery and no-nonsense demeanor, released his debut studio album in 2017.

His lyrics touch on everything from drugs and violence to systemic racism and police brutality.

His second album, "I Am &gt; I Was" debuted at the top of the Billboard 200 in December 2018, holding the number one spot for two weeks.

The rapper is up Sunday for two Grammys for his work on fellow rapper Post Malone's smash hit "Rockstar," including for the major Record of the Year award.&nbsp; Throughout his rise to fame he has toured the United States but does not appear to have performed abroad.

In public interviews he has not explicitly called himself American, but regularly references his upbringing in Atlanta.

Many of the artist's supporters were quick to note his contributions to the community.

"Mr Abraham-Joseph is a role model to the young people in this country, especially in Atlanta," another of his lawyers, Dina LaPolt said, adding that he is "actively working in the community, leading programs to help underprivileged youths in financial literacy."

Since the news of 21 Savage's arrest broke British reports have indicated he originally is from Newham in east London, a detail neither ICE nor his entourage have commented on.

In 2016 the rapper -- who speaks with a thick southern American accent -- gave an interview to urban news YouTube channel VladTV, listing a number of Atlanta neighborhoods he has called home.

21 Savage's lawyer confirmed Monday that the Grammy-nominated rapper had overstayed his visa as a child, but vowed he would fight for his right to remain in the United States after his arrest by immigration agents.

21 Savage's lawyer confirmed Monday that the Grammy-nominated rapper had overstayed his visa as a child, but vowed he would fight for his right to remain in the United States after his arrest by immigration agents. The 26-year old chart-topper -- real name Sha Yaa Bin Abraham-Joseph -- was detained in the southern city of Atlanta Sunday by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE), which says he is a British citizen. "As a minor, his family overstayed their work visas, and he, like almost two million other children, was left without legal status through no fault of his own," the rapper's attorney Charles Kuck said in a statement. "The continued detention of Mr. Abraham-Joseph serves no other purpose than to unnecessarily punish him and try to intimidate him into giving up his right to fight to remain in the United States." Kuck said his client has a pending application for a U visa, which is for victims of crimes who have faced mental or physical abuse in the United States. "Mr Abraham-Joseph has never hid his immigration status from the US government," Kuck said. "The Department of Homeland Security has known his address and his history since his filing for the U Visa in 2017, yet they took no action against him until this past weekend." 21 Savage has long said he is a local act from Atlanta, the state capital of Georgia, which is considered the home of hip hop innovation. According to Bryan Cox, a spokesman for the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE), he came to the US legally as a inor in 2005 but "became unlawfully present in the US" when his visa expired a year later. Cox said the artist was convicted of felony drug charges in October 2014. "Mr. Abraham-Joseph is presently in ICE custody in Georgia and has been placed into removal proceedings before the federal immigration courts," the statement said. Kuck said his client should be released on bond, saying he "is not a flight risk, as he is widely recognizable, and a prominent member of the music industry." The lawyer also said 21 Savage supports his three children, who are US citizens, which makes him eligible for deportation relief. 'Free 21' The musician's arrest sent shockwaves through social media, with a number of top artists and industry insiders backing the young rapper. "SUCCESSFUL BLACK MAN," tweeted Offset, one third of the Atlanta hip hop trio Migos. "THEY ALWAYS TRY SOME WAY TO BRING US DOWN." "Free 21," tweeted hip hop artist Meek Mill, who was released from prison last year after his unexpectedly heavy sentence for a parole violation sparked protests over racial bias in US probation laws. Free 21 🗡 — Meek Mill (@MeekMill) February 4, 2019 × What happened to 21 Savage is another reminder that “criminality” is a largely subjective concept. It’s not a static state of being, it’s a decision made by ppl in positions of authority to wield punitive power against certain ppl while ignoring the transgressions of others. — Clint Smith (@ClintSmithIII) February 4, 2019 × i just hope that whenever the meteor that's gonna end us all lands it hits me directly in the forehead — Trey Smith (@SlimiHendrix) February 4, 2019 × Rappers Lil Yachty and Vince Staples echoed that call, along with Alex Tumay, a mix engineer who regularly works with Atlanta artists. "Abolish ICE," Tumay tweeted. "ICE arresting celebrities to divert attention from the fact they just admitted they can't reconnect kids with their parents." ICE arresting celebrities to divert attention from the fact they just admitted they can’t reconnect kids with their parents and y’all eating it up. Yikes. — alex tumay (@alextumay) February 3, 2019 × The agency has come under fire for its aggressive enforcement of the "zero tolerance" immigration policies of President Donald Trump, including guidelines implemented last summer that led to Latin American children being separated from their parents at the US-Mexico border. Murky origins 21 Savage, known for his conversational, subdued rap delivery and no-nonsense demeanor, released his debut studio album in 2017. His lyrics touch on everything from drugs and violence to systemic racism and police brutality. His second album, "I Am > I Was" debuted at the top of the Billboard 200 in December 2018, holding the number one spot for two weeks. The rapper is up Sunday for two Grammys for his work on fellow rapper Post Malone's smash hit "Rockstar," including for the major Record of the Year award. Throughout his rise to fame he has toured the United States but does not appear to have performed abroad. In public interviews he has not explicitly called himself American, but regularly references his upbringing in Atlanta. Many of the artist's supporters were quick to note his contributions to the community. "Mr Abraham-Joseph is a role model to the young people in this country, especially in Atlanta," another of his lawyers, Dina LaPolt said, adding that he is "actively working in the community, leading programs to help underprivileged youths in financial literacy." Since the news of 21 Savage's arrest broke British reports have indicated he originally is from Newham in east London, a detail neither ICE nor his entourage have commented on. In 2016 the rapper -- who speaks with a thick southern American accent -- gave an interview to urban news YouTube channel VladTV, listing a number of Atlanta neighborhoods he has called home.

Rapper 21 Savage vows to fight to stay in US; support pours in on social media