Deportation chaos: Hundreds of Hungarians in the U.S. face uncertain future!
Stricter immigration measures in the United States are affecting an increasing number of foreign nationals, including Hungarians. Those who are in the country on expired visas or without authorisation are treated the same as any other illegal immigrants. Despite Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s good relations with Donald Trump, this does not benefit Hungarian citizens who are detained and deported by the US authorities.
During Donald Trump’s presidency, US immigration authorities, particularly ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement), introduced drastic measures to curb illegal residence. According to 24.hu, the aim is to deport people living illegally in the country through fast-track deportation. This policy applies not only to Latin American immigrants but also to anyone who has overstayed or taken a job illegally.
When a person is detained by ICE, they are first taken to an immigration detention facility, where deportation proceedings are initiated. It is extremely difficult to get out, and in many cases, individuals have to spend weeks or months in detention before their removal is enforced. In some cases, even those who have been living in the US for a long time but have expired papers may be detained.
How might this affect Hungarians living in the USA?
Every day, the authorities arrest and deport people who cannot prove their legal residence. According to a US immigration lawyer, hundreds of Hungarians may have been detained in immigration detention. Many of them have come to the US under the ESTA programme, which allows for stays of up to 90 days, but have remained in the country beyond that period.
In the past, some US states, such as New York, California, and Illinois, offered a relatively safe haven for illegal residents, but restrictions have been imposed in these regions too. ICE raids are increasingly affecting these states, and they are no longer safe havens for overstaying Hungarians.
Due to increased scrutiny and strict immigration policies, more and more Hungarians are choosing to voluntarily leave the United States before they are detained by authorities. Advocates are advising those who have expired visas or may have other problems with their residence permits to be cautious and avoid situations that could bring them to the attention of the police or other authorities.
Accurate statistics are not available on how many Hungarians are illegally residing in the United States, but it is estimated that hundreds of Hungarians are involved in deportation proceedings every year. In the fiscal year 2023, for example, 959 Hungarian nationals were registered as having overstayed. This rate is considered low among US immigrants, but a significant number of people could still be affected by the tightening measures.
Immigration lawyers say one of the most important steps is not to wait until the authorities take action. If you are overstaying in the country, it is worth consulting an immigration professional who can help you find the best solution. For those who are still planning a trip to the US, it is advisable to find out in advance about the rules of entry and possible legal consequences.
Read also:
- Daily Telegraph: Trump considers sending U.S. troops to Hungary
- Could PM Orbán’s Fidesz really expel Hungarian nationals who hold dual citizenship?
Featured image: depositphotos.com
We are being and “others” – CULLED.
Australians – by BIRTH.
Australia a DEMOCRACY.
Lived in Budapest, Hungary for (7) seven years .
District V.
Status as a Residence Permit – needs renewing every (2) two years.
No Voting Rights at National Elections.
No “freebies” from the Orban led Fidesz Government.
Retired.
Self – Funded.
Private Medical Coverage.
Advised by our Hungarian Migration/ Immigration Lawyer, that come 30th June 2025, expiry date of our current Residence Permits – we will NOT receive APPROVAL.
Changes under “Rule by Decree” put into Law, by the Orban led Fidesz Government in relation to Migration/Immigration into Hungary, that our APPLICATION will not meet the CRITERIA – to have our Residence Permits extended for another (2) two years.
Australians, Americans, Canadians and New Zealanders – we are being REMOVED – out of Hungary.
The passports being STAMPED by a country of DEMOCRACY – this “Culling” – of people, like us lived here number of years, contributed to the Hungarian Economy, those who are working, taxes they are Paying – this is an APPALLING decision made by this Orban led Fidesz Government.
WE NEED a VOICE.
We NEED support.
PLEASE.
I am sorry to hear that the government is not extending your residence permit. Foreign residents spend money in Hungary and thus support the local economy. Considering the political environment in Hungary I like to visit but would not reside there. I like living in the free nation of Canada.
I understand this is stomach-churning and extremely disruptive to your life but what makes you think you are ENTITLED to remain living in Hungary??? If you are not a citizen, your residence is never safe nor should be taken for granted – not just in Hungary but anywhere. Try writing something like you did above in a Latin American or Arabian Gulf or most any Asian country: They’d ship you out like a sack of potatoes the same day. Here at least you have months of notice.
I’ve lived in a dozen+ countries on three continents and was always aware that I might have to leave at a moment’s notice when my visa runs out. I also never took a wooden nickel from the public purse.
On another note, if you’ve been living here legally for seven years, you are eligible for naturalization. I guess you don’t speak Hungarian, though, which disqualifies you.
Look on the bright side. You roughed it out for seven years under the ghastly Orban regime. It must have been torturous and I’m sure they held a gun to your head forcing you to stay here all these years. But now you’ve free to go to any one of the anti-Orban globalist-socialist-fascist utopias, particularly in Western Europe. Try Brussels or Paris or Malmo or Hamburg. I’m sure you’ll love all the “New Europeans” there and the “cultural enrichment” they brought along.
Good luck!
The Trump admin is finding people becuase they have legal histories that have serious negative impact on the law abiding citizens. So, if Hungarians there have not been in trouble, have not acted in bad faith by working without paying proper taxes, employment insurance, workman’s compensation etc, they are doing illegal things in a country where they are guests. They need to be deported. Everyone who wants to immigrate somewhere has rules that they know they must adhere to, processes that take time but also that help prove they are a decent individual worthy of that special passport. While some people stand in line and go thru the steps. others sneak in and expect the government to not care? No, deport cheaters, don’t need them in any country. No excuse for not being good guests.
Really sad that Hungary has decided to by Residency Permit changes expel many long term residents who spend a good portion of their income in Hungary. Most of us are retirees from elsewhere, we do not seek employment or negatively impact the Hungarian economy. We help our local areas economy by hiring locals to do work, we support local merchants through our spending and we seldom cause problems. Seems like DNH would do an article about this human rights violation and I have messaged them requesting this and so far they have not produced an article. If this situation is not corrected I will leave and take my money where it is appreciated. I love Hungary and the people but I am disappointed in the direction it is headed.
So, Trump is deporting foreigners who are in breach of U.S. law.
And the problem is…?!?!?
I was in the US on J1 and multiple stints on H1Bs – this has been a given, for at least the past … 30 odd years.
Great way to get carted off at US Immigration and meet a very different crowd in the back rooms of airports, if you are ever registered as overstaying. Having a criminal record in the US (even “only” State) or ticking the “I was a drug addict” also makes things a lot more interesting. I have seen the actual records they keep – it is pretty amazing!
How is the Hungarian ESTA issue progressing, by the way? Wasn’t that supposed to go away, under the new administration?
https://www.esta-application.com/esta-restrictions-for-usa-travelers-from-hungary/