Over 100,000 People Deported from the US for Marijuana

According to Human Rights Watch and the Drug Policy Alliance, more than 100,000 people have been deported from the United States for marijuana-related offenses.

Over Half a Million Deported for Drug Offenses

Advocacy groups analyzed data on immigrants from 2002 to 2020 and found that during this period:

• More than 505,000 people were deported for committing crimes related to the illegal drug trade.
• 156,000 were removed from the country for using or possessing banned psychoactive substances.
• At least 127,387 people were deported for cannabis-related offenses.
• Over 47,000 immigrants were expelled for smoking or possessing marijuana.

One in four foreign nationals was deported from the US for drug-related reasons. Cocaine was the most common cause, accounting for 40.3% of cases where law enforcement specified the substance involved. Marijuana was the second most common, with 35% of deportations, and amphetamines ranked third at 13.4%.

Stricter Laws and Ongoing Deportations

In 1988, the administration of President Ronald Reagan tightened immigration laws related to drugs, leading to an increase in deportations for drug use and possession. Despite the legalization of cannabis in 24 US states, federal regulations have not changed, and immigrants continue to be deported for marijuana use. Advocates argue that this approach is unfair and lacks common sense.

Cannabis Used Against Immigrants

The authors of the study commented: “Drug policy reform is neither inclusive nor just if it does not protect immigrants who become victims of the war on immigrants waged as part of the war on drugs. Ignoring the rights and dignity of foreigners forces thousands into an endless struggle.”

Natalie Burke, a Black woman originally from Jamaica, is among the immigrants affected by punitive drug policies. The governor of Arizona pardoned her for a marijuana-related offense, but Burke still faces deportation and separation from her son, who has started college. US Immigration and Customs Enforcement wants to remove Natalie from the country, despite the legal status of cannabis in Arizona and her official pardon.

To address the issue, advocates propose extending state cannabis laws to immigrants and allowing courts to consider individual circumstances when deciding on deportation. However, this would require changes to federal law, which still classifies marijuana as an illegal drug.