More than 622,000 irregular immigrants could be at risk of facing an accelerated deportation process, after a federal court authorized the government to expand the use of this immigration measure, according to an analysis by the Migration Policy Institute (MPI).

The MPI study, based on data from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), indicates that these immigrants would have remained in the country for less than two years, a key criterion for the authorities to be able to apply this expulsion procedure without going through the long processes of the immigration courts.

The judicial decision represents an important change in immigration policy, since it allows expedited expulsion to be extended to the interior of the country, a tool that for years was mainly used near the borders.

What is expedited deportation and who can it affect?

Expedited removal allows DHS agents to decide to remove certain immigrants in a shorter period of time, without necessarily having a full hearing before an immigration judge.

However, people who express fear of returning to their country have the right to additional evaluation to determine if they can apply for immigration protection.

According to the analysis, the majority of the 622,000 identified immigrants entered the United States through programs such as the CBP One application or humanitarian permits implemented during the Joe Biden administration due to the increase in border crossings.

The agency indicated that a smaller group entered through irregular crossings through the northern or southern borders.

Government measure generates immigration debate

The expanded use of expedited removal was authorized by a three-judge panel of the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, which lifted a previous order limiting the practice.

According to MPI reports, the measure could affect even people who have been in the United States for longer if they cannot quickly prove their permanence in the country.

The US government maintains that the measure seeks to expedite irregular immigration processes and reduce the accumulated delay in immigration courts, while immigrant advocacy organizations have expressed concern about possible errors or lack of opportunities to present evidence.