At the request of the US government, the IOM “is sharing” the Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR) program with people who have registered to return “voluntarily” to their homeland, the text stresses.

The White House determines its own migration policy: “IOM does not facilitate or implement deportations. Our involvement begins only after a person gives informed consent to access assistance,” the statement says.

According to the document, IOM has supported AVR programs in more than 100 countries for decades, assisting individuals without resources, legal options or support to return to their home countries “in dignity and safety”.

In the United States, the agency noted, “many migrants face a very challenging reality,” navigating complex systems with limited options and resources.

According to various media reports, Trump ordered the Department of Homeland Security to increase the number of agents assigned to deportation enforcement to 20,000.

“No later than 60 days after the date of this proclamation, the Secretary of Homeland Security will supplement existing enforcement and removal operations by deputizing and hiring state and local law enforcement officers, former federal officers, agents, and personnel from other federal agencies,” the White House chief of staff said.

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