Disproportionate Deportation Rates According to reports from the Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI) and analyses published in
The American Prospect Black immigrants constitute only about 5.4% of the undocumented population but account for up to 20.3% of those facing deportation on criminal grounds. This disparity stems from over-policing and racial profiling.
Process Initiated by Police Contact
BAJI data indicates that 76% of Black immigrant deportation cases begin not from direct immigration operations but from routine encounters with local police, such as traffic stops. This "prison-to-deportation pipeline" is linked to the over-policing of Black communities, where racial profiling affects immigrants as well.
Large-Scale Raids in 2025
In 2025, massive ICE raids in cities like New York, Chicago, and others have further exposed the issue. These operations, based on collaborations between local police and ICE, disproportionately targeted Black communities. In several cases, U.S. citizens were mistakenly detained, amplifying fears and outrage.
Abuse in Detention Centers
Discrimination does not end with deportation. A 2022 report by Freedom for Immigrants notes that Black immigrants, making up only 6% of ICE detainees, account for 28% of abuse complaints and 24% of solitary confinement cases. Human rights advocates view this as evidence of systemic racism.
The Dual Challenge and Path Forward
Black immigrants face a twofold struggle: racial prejudice on one side and immigration-related discrimination on the other. From police encounters to detention and deportation, the pattern disproportionately impacts them compared to other groups. Experts are calling for reforms, such as ending police-ICE collaborations and increasing transparency in detention systems, to eliminate this hidden injustice.
By Sajjad Ali Nayani ✍🏼
