The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has identified 211 Greek nationals among the more than 1.4 million foreign nationals who have received final deportation orders but remain in the United States.

The latest ICE data, updated as of November 24, 2024, lists a total of 1,445,549 individuals with final removal orders issued by immigration courts. However, many of these deportations have yet to be executed, with U.S. authorities citing various legal and logistical barriers

Why Deportations Are Delayed

ICE can only proceed with deportations once a final order of removal has been issued by an immigration judge. In some cases, individuals seek legal protections, such as asylum or relief under the Convention Against Torture. If a claim is approved, ICE cannot move forward with removal.

Beyond legal challenges, deportations are also delayed when foreign governments fail to cooperate. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) asserts that every country has an obligation to accept the return of its citizens who are not authorized to remain in the U.S. Lack of cooperation—such as delays in verifying nationality, failure to issue travel documents, or refusal to accept deportees on scheduled flights—can significantly hinder the process.

Countries Deemed Uncooperative

Countries that repeatedly fail to facilitate the return of their citizens risk being designated as “non-cooperative” by ICE. As of now, 15 countries hold this status: Bhutan, Burma (Myanmar), Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Hong Kong, India, Iran, Laos, Pakistan

People’s Republic of China, Russia, Somalia, and Venezuela. Additionally, 11 other nations are classified as being at risk of non-compliance, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iraq, and Vietnam.