NGOs Urge Halt to US Deportations of Ukrainians via Poland

Amnesty International and Human Rights First have called on Poland to stop facilitating US deportation flights transporting Ukrainian nationals back to Ukraine via Polish territory. The groups argue the practice may violate international law, as Ukraine remains an active war zone.

According to a joint statement, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) carried out at least two such flights in November and March. More than 50 Ukrainians were reportedly deported via Poland. The organizations also said another flight landed at Rzeszow-Jasionka airport on 30 April, although the number of passengers remains unclear.

Poland’s interior ministry denied direct involvement in the deportations. Spokeswoman Karolina Galecka said Poland acted only as a transit point and that no formal agreement existed with the US on deportations. Border guards, she said, carried out standard inspection procedures.

The administration of US President Donald Trump has recently expanded deportations and tightened enforcement measures. Critics argue that these policies undermine refugee protections and the principle of not returning individuals to countries where they face danger.

(reuters, max)