The United States deported Palestinians to Israel twice using private jets under the Trump administration, per Middle East Eye investigation. The flights carried individuals facing immigration violations, bypassing standard commercial deportation procedures amid heightened scrutiny of pro-Palestinian activism.
Sources described the operations as discreet, involving luxury aircraft chartered through third-party firms. The first incident occurred in late January 2026, followed by a second in early February, with passengers including dual nationals and visa overstays. US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed removals but declined details on transport methods, citing operational security.
Israeli authorities accepted the arrivals without public comment, while Palestinian advocates decried the moves as politically motivated, linking them to campus protests and Trump's immigration pledges. Human rights groups raised concerns over due process and family separations. No further deportations of this nature have been reported. The actions reflect broader US-Israel alignment on security and migration post-Trump's 2025 inauguration.
