Mass deportation sparked fear among Sierra Leonean migrants in the U.S. after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) list identifying noncitizens with final orders of removal has triggered widespread panic among Sierra Leoneans living in the United States.

The anxiety surrounding deportation is not new but has escalated following the mass removal of undocumented immigrants in January 25th, 2025.

The move has sent shockwaves through immigrant communities, particularly Sierra Leoneans living in the United States, as concerns over family separation and uncertainty about their future intensify.

Authorities have confirmed that hundreds of detainees have been deported via military aircraft as part of the government’s broader crackdown on illegal immigration. The policy shift follows recent efforts to reinforce border security and tighten immigration enforcement.

Mass Deportation on Sierra Leonean Families and Communities

Foday Turay ESQ, Sierra Leonean legal professional living in the U.S.

With an estimated 34,000 Sierra Leoneans residing in the U.S., the latest deportations sparked deep anxiety among many who fear they could be next. Among those voicing concerns is Foday Turay ESQ, a Deputy Assistant Attorney in Philadelphia.

He moved to the United States at the age of seven and has spent over two decades in the country. Turay has built his life in the U.S., establishing a family and a career in the legal profession.

Testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee on December 10th, 2024, Turay detailed the consequences mass deportation could have on families, communities, and society at large.

“I feel the consequences of mass deportation on a personal, community and societal level. On a personal level, my wife is here and I have no one in Sierra Leone to sustain me,” Turay said.

He emphasized the hardship he would face if deported, noting that he has no relatives in Sierra Leone. As the family breadwinner, his deportation will strain this wife and son, affecting daily expenses, including their mortgage.

But above all, he expressed deep concern that his son would grow up without a father.

Beyond his family, Turay underscored the broader impact of his deportation on his work and the community he serves.

“The people of Philadelphia will be hurt if I were to disappear. Victims of crimes who’s cases that I persecute will lose an ally in their fight for justice,” he said.

He emphasized that many immigrants have built their lives in the U.S. and make meaningful contributions to society.

Turay is not alone in his concerns. The broader Sierra Leonean community is gripped with fear over the uncertainty surrounding the future of their families in the U.S. 

Mr. Foday Turay addressing the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Trump’s Policy Shifts Since Taking Office

The growing panic among Sierra Leonean migrants grows  as President Trump returns. Since returning, President Trump quickly implemented sweeping policy changes aligning with his administration’s hardline stance.

In addition to the mass deportation initiative his administration has ordered a temporary freeze on federal financial assistance. 

This affects foreign aid, diversity programs, gender initiatives, and climate funding, a move already facing legal challenges from nonprofit organizations. 

He reinstated U.S.-Mexico border wall funding, reinforced border security, withdrew from international climate agreements.

Additionally, federal agencies and contractors have been instructed to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training programs, with Trump arguing that such initiatives promote “woke ideology.” 

As these policies take effect, legal battles are mounting, and advocacy groups are bracing for further enforcement actions. For Sierra Leonean migrants and other immigrant communities, the fear of deportation remains a looming reality, with little clarity on what the future holds. 

Immigrant advocacy groups are urging policymakers to consider more comprehensive immigration reforms that balance national security with humanitarian concerns. They argue that a more structured pathway for law-abiding immigrants could prevent families from being torn apart while still addressing legal concerns.