ICE Uses Military Flights to Deport People to Honduras
On June 4, 2026, ICE loaded people onto military aircraft and flew them to Honduras — a first for a program that now involves the Department of War alongside border enforcement agencies. The operation targeted people with criminal convictions, but the expanded capacity it signals affects anyone with an open removal case. If ICE can move faster, the window to act on your case gets shorter.
What if you or someone you know is already in removal proceedings — does a flight like this mean deportation could happen faster than expected? The short answer is yes. ICE confirmed it used military aircraft to remove people to Honduras starting June 4, 2026, and the agency says it plans to keep this pace going.
Acting ICE Director David J. Venturella announced the operation, calling it a "whole-government approach" that brings together ICE, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Department of War. The stated goal is to expand removal operations and move people out of the country more efficiently. Among those removed were people convicted of burglary, DUI, domestic violence, and narcotics violations. ICE described all of them as "criminal illegal aliens."
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This matters beyond Honduras. The use of military aircraft signals that the government now has more logistical capacity to carry out deportations — not just to Honduras, but potentially to other countries. Lawyers who work in removal proceedings say that when ICE expands its operational capacity, people with open immigration cases or final orders of removal face a higher real-world risk of being picked up and placed on a flight quickly. A final order of removal does not always mean deportation happens immediately — but operations like this one close that gap.
What to do if you are in removal proceedings
- If you have a final order of removal, contact an immigration attorney immediately. You may still have options — such as filing a Motion to Reopen (deadline: 90 days from the order date) or requesting a Stay of Deportation using Form I-246, which currently carries a filing fee of $155.
- If you have an upcoming immigration court hearing, do not miss it. Missing a hearing almost always results in an order of removal issued in your absence, which puts you at immediate risk.
- If ICE arrests you, you have the right to remain silent and the right to speak with an attorney before answering questions. Do not sign any documents without legal counsel.
- Make sure a trusted person outside your home knows your immigration case number and the name of your attorney, in case you are detained without warning.
Related: our step-by-step guide — “Bond Hearing: How to Get Released”.
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When ICE expands removal capacity through military partnerships, people with final orders of removal become vulnerable to sudden deportation — even if they have lived here for years. If you have any unresolved immigration matter, now is the time to check whether you qualify to reopen your case or request a stay: the Motion to Reopen deadline is 90 days from the order, and missing it closes most doors. Consult an immigration attorney before that window passes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can ICE deport me on a military flight even if I have a pending appeal?
Generally, a pending appeal or motion can pause a deportation — but only if a court or immigration judge has issued a formal stay of removal. Without that stay on paper, ICE can legally proceed. Talk to an attorney right away if you have a pending case and want to make sure a stay is in place.
What is a Motion to Reopen and how long do I have to file it?
A Motion to Reopen asks an immigration judge or the Board of Immigration Appeals to reconsider your case — for example, if new evidence exists or your situation has changed. The standard deadline is 90 days from the date of the removal order. Missing that deadline usually means you lose the right to file.
What does Form I-246 do, and how much does it cost?
Form I-246 is a request for a Stay of Deportation — it asks ICE to pause your removal while you pursue other legal options. The filing fee is $155. Filing it does not guarantee ICE will approve it, but it is one of the few tools available once a removal order is final.
Does having a DUI or other conviction automatically lead to deportation?
Not automatically — it depends on the type of conviction, your immigration status, and how long you have lived in the US. Some convictions trigger mandatory removal; others give a judge discretion. An immigration attorney can review your specific record and tell you where you stand.