Africa-Press – Angola. More than 600 Angolan citizens residing illegally in the United States of America may be repatriated in the coming days. This measure is part of a broad mass deportation of irregular immigrants, ordered by President Donald Trump shortly after his inauguration on January 20.
The Secretary of State for International Cooperation and Angolan Communities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Domingos Viera Lopes, says that the Angolan Executive has not yet received an official note on the matter.
The US government justifies the measures based on immigration legality, analysts warn of the lack of clarity in the criteria adopted and the possible humanitarian impacts of the decision
“The concept of illegality is very broad,” warns the Human Rights professor at the Catholic University of Angola.
Margareth Nangacovie, who also teaches constitutional law, real rights and people’s rights, says the White House’s definition of “illegal immigrant” is too broad and could include everything from asylum seekers to people with expired visas.
“We are all apprehensive because we do not know the basis for this decision. You may be considered illegal because your asylum application has not yet been approved, or because you are in the process of renewing your visa.
The central question is: are these deportations respecting international law?”, asks Maragareth Nangacovie. The expert also warns of the risk of violating the principle of “non refoulement”, which, under international law, prevents the forced return of people who have fled persecution and threats.
“If the US deports refugees or asylum seekers, it will be violating a fundamental humanitarian principle, putting these people in danger again,” said Maragareth Nanga, also a consultant at the Center for Human Rights at the American Bar Association.
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