Amid growing concerns surrounding the use of Shannon Airport in Ireland by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Amnesty International and Human Rights First have called on Irish officials to halt these operations. In their first joint letter, the two organizations urged both the Irish Minister for Transport and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to cease facilitating ICE removal flights. Their plea comes after discovering that Shannon Airport was involved in at least five flights, resulting in the deportation of 28 individuals to countries like South Sudan and Eswatini where they have no connections and often face danger.
Stephen Bowen, Director of Amnesty International Ireland, explicitly criticized the Irish government’s complicity, asserting that Ireland must take control over the use of its airspace. He denounced the U.S. administration’s immigration policies, characterizing them as “vile, racist, and xenophobic,” and pointed out the unlawful nature of these removals, which violate due process rights and sometimes result in enforced disappearances. The original letter from Amnesty and Human Rights First, dated March 12, details instances of arbitrary removals, including six men languishing in detention for over eight months in South Sudan (Jurist).
This issue underscores a broader pattern of increased deportation activities. A report from ICE Flight Monitor, a Human Rights First project, indicates that in March 2026, ICE conducted removal flights to 46 countries, showing a stark rise in deportations and destinations. The figures mark a 23 percent increase in flights compared to February and a 48 percent increase in removal destinations over the previous month.
The letter also urged Irish authorities to disclose the extent of their awareness regarding the use of Irish airspace for these flights and to outline any measures planned to address the situation. As legal experts and human rights advocates scrutinize these revelations, the debate around Ireland’s role in U.S. immigration enforcement intensifies. Bowen’s condemnation points to the moral and legal implications of Ireland’s involvement, sparking a renewed conversation on sovereignty and human rights obligations.
For the Irish government, this appeal is not only a test of its commitment to international human rights standards but also an opportunity to assert control over its airspace, in alignment with global expectations for humane immigration practices. As discussions continue, the international community awaits Ireland’s response to these pressing concerns.