Vietnam commits to deportations after US Trade tariff and visa threats
Vietnam has committed to hastening the deportation of its nationals facing removal from the United States after being pressured by U.S. threats of trade tariffs and visa sanctions.
Current estimates indicate that over 8,600 Vietnamese individuals are under "orders of removal," many having arrived as refugees prior to 1995.
This policy shift is largely seen as a direct response to the economic risks posed by potential U.S. tariffs, which could severely impact Vietnam's trade-dependent economy.
As per the recent agreement, Vietnam will process deportation requests within 30 days, significantly reducing past delays that often lasted months or years.
Immigration lawyer Tin Thanh Nguyen announced that Vietnam will also furnish travel documents for up to 30 detained Vietnamese nationals.
The shift in policy comes following explicit warnings from U.S. officials, including Brian Hughes from the National Security Council, who stated that all nations must repatriate their citizens or risk facing sanctions.
Although the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry has yet to comment publicly, earlier communications highlighted Vietnam's commitment to comply with U.S. repatriation agreements.
This development occurs amidst a wider context of increasing deportations by the U.S., with over 37,000 people being removed in the first month of President Trump's second term. While the exact number of Vietnamese nationals deported remains unclear, it has been reported that some have already been sent to Panama.
