US ICE deletes posts about deporting Ukrainians

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has removed social media posts about deporting Ukrainians which coincided with Vladimir Zelensky’s trip to Washington.

The now-deleted messages, posted on X and Facebook on Tuesday, contained photos of several people in civilian clothes standing in front of Ukrainian border officials. “Here are photos of Ukrainian aliens’ first moments back home following their removal from the United States,” the caption read. It is unclear when the posts were taken down.

On Monday, Zelensky met with US President Donald Trump, as well as with leaders of several European countries, the EU, and NATO. The sides discussed a path to peace between Ukraine and Russia and security guarantees for Kiev.

ICE has regularly shared photos and videos of deportees on social media as part of Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration. The president has pledged to carry out “the largest deportation” in US history, targeting violent criminals.

Andrey Demchenko, spokesman for Ukraine’s Border Guard Service, told local media on Tuesday that all countries have “the sovereign right” to deport illegal migrants.

Ukrainian lawmakers, meanwhile, have been debating ways to stop the flight of military-age men during the ongoing mobilization campaign. Parliament has passed several laws aimed at broadening the conscription base.