Key Takeaways
• On June 3, 2025, ICE Dallas deported 122 Chinese nationals on a Special High Risk Charter flight.
• Many deportees had serious criminal convictions including murder, drug trafficking, and human smuggling.
• The operation required strong US-China cooperation to safely repatriate high-risk individuals.
On June 3, 2025, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Dallas led a major operation to deport 122 Chinese nationals from the United States 🇺🇸 to China 🇨🇳. This group was removed on a “Special High Risk Charter” flight, a term used by officials to describe deportations involving people considered to pose particular security or public safety concerns. The flight included individuals with serious criminal convictions and required close cooperation between the United States 🇺🇸 and Chinese authorities. This event marks one of the largest recent removals of Chinese nationals and highlights the current administration’s focus on strict immigration enforcement.
What Happened: The ICE Dallas Special High Risk Charter Flight
Who: 122 Chinese nationals (96 men, 26 women, ages 19–68)
What: Deportation on a Special High Risk Charter flight
When: June 3, 2025 (operation announced June 9, 2025)
Where: From ICE detention centers across the United States 🇺🇸 to China 🇨🇳
Why: All had final removal orders, many had serious criminal convictions
How: ICE Dallas coordinated the operation, consolidating detainees for a single charter flight
The people on this flight had been held in ICE detention facilities throughout the country. They were brought together for this special deportation because of the nature of their cases. According to ICE Dallas, some of these individuals had been convicted of crimes such as murder, drug trafficking, rape, bribery, and human smuggling. The use of a Special High Risk Charter flight signals that officials considered this group to require extra security and careful handling.
What Is a Special High Risk Charter Flight?
A Special High Risk Charter (SHRC) flight is a deportation flight used by ICE for people who are considered to pose a higher risk to public safety or security. This can include individuals with serious criminal records or those who might be a flight risk (meaning they might try to escape before deportation). These flights are different from regular deportation flights because they often have more security, special planning, and sometimes require international cooperation.
In this case, the SHRC flight was used to return Chinese nationals to China 🇨🇳. Such flights need approval and coordination from both the United States 🇺🇸 and the receiving country. This is especially important when the people being deported have criminal convictions or when there are diplomatic or legal challenges.
Why Was This Operation Significant?
This deportation stands out for several reasons:
- Large number of people: 122 Chinese nationals were removed at once, which is a significant number for a single flight.
- Serious criminal backgrounds: Many of those deported had been convicted of serious crimes, making this a high-profile enforcement action.
- International cooperation: The operation required agreement from Chinese authorities to accept the return of their nationals, which is not always easy to secure.
- Part of broader enforcement efforts: This flight is one of several recent actions showing the administration’s focus on removing people with final orders of removal, especially those with criminal records.
How Did ICE Dallas Organize the Operation?
ICE Dallas played a leading role in this operation. The agency worked with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and other ICE offices across the country to identify, detain, and consolidate the 122 individuals for removal. The process involved:
- Identifying individuals with final removal orders: These are people who have gone through immigration court and have been ordered to leave the United States 🇺🇸.
- Reviewing criminal records: ICE prioritized those with serious criminal convictions.
- Coordinating with detention centers: People were held in various ICE facilities before being brought together for the charter flight.
- Working with Chinese authorities: Arrangements had to be made for China 🇨🇳 to accept the returnees.
- Planning the charter flight: Special security measures were put in place due to the high-risk nature of the group.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, operations like this require months of planning and involve many agencies working together, including law enforcement, diplomatic staff, and transportation officials.
Recent Trends in Immigration Enforcement
The ICE Dallas Special High Risk Charter flight is part of a wider pattern of increased immigration enforcement across the United States 🇺🇸, especially in Texas. In the same period, several other major actions took place:
- ICE Houston: Deported 142 people to Mexico 🇲🇽 in two weeks. These individuals had been convicted of 473 crimes and had illegally entered the United States 🇺🇸 a total of 480 times.
- ICE Boston: Arrested a Salvadoran gang member in Massachusetts who was identified as a member of the MS-13 gang.
- Dallas Family Detention: Jorge and Esperanza Granados Rojas, parents living in Dallas, were detained after being stopped by state troopers. They had overstayed their tourist visas and presented expired driver’s licenses. Their detention left their 16-year-old U.S. citizen son in the care of his sisters, who are DACA recipients.
These actions show that ICE is focusing on people with criminal records, repeat immigration violators, and those with final removal orders. The agency is also working closely with local and state law enforcement through programs like 287(g), which allows local officers to help enforce immigration laws.
The Role of International Cooperation
Deporting people to their home countries is not always straightforward. Some countries are slow or unwilling to accept their nationals back, especially if they have criminal convictions. In this case, the United States 🇺🇸 and China 🇨🇳 had to work together to arrange the return of the 122 Chinese nationals. This kind of cooperation is essential for ICE to carry out removal orders, especially for high-risk charter flights.
The process usually involves:
- Verifying identities: Making sure each person is a citizen of the receiving country.
- Securing travel documents: Getting passports or other documents needed for travel.
- Coordinating with foreign officials: Arranging for the receiving country to accept the returnees upon arrival.
For more information on how ICE conducts removals and the role of international cooperation, readers can visit the official ICE removal operations page.
Background: Why Are Special High Risk Charter Flights Used?
Special High Risk Charter flights are not new, but they have become more common as the United States 🇺🇸 has increased efforts to remove people with criminal records or those considered a threat to public safety. These flights are used when:
- Commercial airlines refuse to carry certain passengers: Airlines may not want to transport people with serious criminal backgrounds.
- Security concerns: Some individuals require extra security during transport.
- Large groups: When many people from the same country need to be removed at once, a charter flight is more efficient.
These flights are expensive and require careful planning. They often involve law enforcement officers on board and special procedures to keep everyone safe.
The Human Impact: Families and Communities
While ICE and DHS focus on the enforcement side, these actions have real effects on families and communities. The case of the Granados Rojas family in Dallas is one example. When parents are detained or deported, children—sometimes U.S. citizens—can be left without their primary caregivers. In this case, the couple’s 16-year-old son, a U.S. citizen, was left in the care of his older sisters, who are protected under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
Advocates for immigrants often point out that strict enforcement can break up families, disrupt communities, and create fear among people who may have lived in the United States 🇺🇸 for many years. They argue for more humane policies and for considering the circumstances of each case.
Legal Process: How Do People Get Final Removal Orders?
Before someone is deported, they usually go through a legal process in immigration court. Here’s how it works:
- Arrest or Detention: ICE or another agency detains the person for violating immigration laws.
- Notice to Appear: The person receives a document called a Notice to Appear (NTA), which starts the court process.
- Immigration Court Hearing: An immigration judge hears the case. The person can present evidence and ask for relief (such as asylum or cancellation of removal).
- Final Order of Removal: If the judge decides the person must leave, they issue a final removal order.
- Appeals: The person can appeal the decision, but once all appeals are finished, the removal order is final.
- Deportation: ICE arranges for the person to be removed from the United States 🇺🇸.
For more information on immigration court procedures, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) provides detailed resources.
Implications for Stakeholders
For Immigrants
- Risk of removal: Those with final removal orders, especially with criminal convictions, face a high risk of deportation.
- Family separation: Deportations can separate families, especially when some members are U.S. citizens or have legal status.
- Legal options: People facing removal should seek legal advice to understand their rights and possible forms of relief.
For Employers
- Workforce impact: Deportations can affect businesses that rely on immigrant workers.
- Compliance: Employers must ensure they follow employment verification laws to avoid penalties.
For Communities
- Public safety: ICE argues that removing people with serious criminal records improves safety.
- Community trust: Aggressive enforcement can create fear and reduce trust in law enforcement, making people less likely to report crimes or cooperate with police.
For International Relations
- Diplomatic cooperation: Successful deportations, especially on Special High Risk Charter flights, depend on good relations between countries.
- Policy challenges: Some countries may refuse to accept their nationals, making removals difficult.
Broader Policy Context
The current administration has made immigration enforcement a top priority. This includes:
- Increasing removals of people with criminal records
- Expanding programs like 287(g) to involve local law enforcement
- Speeding up immigration court cases
At the same time, immigration courts are facing a record number of cases, leading to delays and backlogs. This puts pressure on the system and can make it harder for people to get fair hearings.
What Happens Next?
For the 122 Chinese nationals deported on the ICE Dallas Special High Risk Charter flight, their cases are now in the hands of Chinese authorities. For others in the United States 🇺🇸 with final removal orders, especially those with criminal convictions, the risk of deportation remains high.
People facing removal should:
- Consult with an immigration attorney: Legal advice can help people understand their options and rights.
- Stay informed: Keep up with changes in immigration policy and enforcement trends.
- Prepare documents: Make sure all paperwork is in order, especially if facing a court hearing or possible removal.
Conclusion and Practical Guidance
The ICE Dallas deportation of 122 Chinese nationals on a Special High Risk Charter flight is a clear example of the current administration’s approach to immigration enforcement. The operation involved careful planning, international cooperation, and a focus on people with serious criminal records. While officials argue that such actions protect public safety, they also have deep effects on families and communities.
If you or someone you know is affected by immigration enforcement, it’s important to seek legal help and stay informed about your rights. For official information on ICE removal operations, visit the ICE removal operations page. For updates and analysis on immigration policy, VisaVerge.com reports that staying aware of enforcement trends and legal changes is key for anyone involved in the immigration system.
By understanding how these operations work and what they mean for different groups, readers can better prepare for the challenges and decisions that may lie ahead.
Learn Today
ICE → U.S. agency enforcing immigration laws and overseeing deportations of unauthorized or criminal individuals.
Special High Risk Charter → A secure deportation flight for individuals considered dangerous or high flight risks.
Final Removal Order → A legal decision ordering an individual to leave the United States permanently.
287(g) Program → Partnership allowing local law enforcement to assist federal immigration enforcement efforts.
DACA → Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals protects eligible immigrant youth from deportation.
This Article in a Nutshell
On June 3, 2025, ICE Dallas executed a major deportation of 122 Chinese nationals with serious criminal records. Using a Special High Risk Charter flight, this operation involved close US-China coordination and highlights intensified immigration enforcement focused on public safety and legal compliance.
— By VisaVerge.com
