The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alibek Bakayev, commented on the information regarding the deportation of Kazakhs from the USA, as reported by Tengrinews.kz correspondent.
According to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as of November 24, 2024, there are 369 Kazakhs on the deportation list. In the Senate corridors, journalists inquired with Deputy Minister Alibek Bakayev about the situation concerning their return to their homeland.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has warned Kazakh citizens who are illegally residing in the USA that they can declare their illegal status and leave the territory of the States freely. There will be consequences; we have warned," Bakayev stated.
Additionally, the deputy minister explained what restrictions Kazakhs may face in the event of forced deportation.
"Entry into the USA will be closed. I do not know what other measures may be taken; that is U.S. policy, so voluntary departure has always been, and remains, in my opinion. This option is available for Kazakh citizens. Those who do not take advantage of this opportunity may certainly be subject to (forced deportation - ed.)," he clarified.
At the same time, as stated by the official representative of the foreign policy agency, Aybek Smadiyarov, the ICE data on the deportation of 369 Kazakhs has nothing to do with the new U.S. immigration policy.
"Upon verifying this information, it turns out that Fox News published this news on December 11, 2024. In general, deportation is the forced removal of an undesirable person from one state. Deportations are routine activities that occur daily in every country. Therefore, the authorities are not obliged to inform the embassy or consulate about such cases if the individuals being deported have illegally entered the country," Smadiyarov explained.
Earlier, Alibek Bakayev commented on the situation regarding the tightening of U.S. immigration legislation.
It is worth noting that the Embassy of Kazakhstan in the USA issued a statement in connection with the tightening of U.S. immigration policy aimed at enhancing border security and reducing illegal migration. Details about the new measures can be read here.
