Human rights activists urge Poland to stop supporting US deportation flights to Ukraine
Kyiv • UNN
Human rights activists are calling on Poland to stop the transit of US deportation flights to Ukraine. More than 50 citizens have already been forcibly returned through Rzeszów Airport.
Amnesty International and Human Rights First on Wednesday called on Poland to stop cooperating with U.S. deportation flights carrying Ukrainian citizens through its territory, stating that such practices may violate international law. This was reported by Reuters, according to UNN.
Details
In a joint statement, the organizations reported that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted at least two such operations through Poland in November 2025 and March 2026, deporting more than 50 people to Ukraine.
Forcibly sending Ukrainians into an active war zone, where missiles are hitting across the country, is shocking and contrary to international law
"Poland, which has provided refuge to many Ukrainian refugees, must refuse to facilitate the Trump administration's forced actions that return Ukrainians to life-threatening conditions," she added.
The groups stated that on April 17, they sent a letter to Polish authorities expressing concern about these flights, which they said departed from Phoenix, Arizona, to Rzeszów-Jasionka Airport in southeastern Poland, but received no response and decided to make the letter public.
Poland has no agreement or arrangement with the United States regarding deportations. This is an internal matter between two countries - Ukraine and the USA
She added that Poland was only a transit country, was not directly involved, and the border service performed only standard control procedures.
It is possible that a Ukrainian citizen being deported from the USA to Ukraine does not have the right to enter Poland. In such a case, a routine check is conducted within legal powers
Bartosz Górski, deputy director of Rzeszów-Jasionka Airport, declined to comment on the deportation flights and did not answer questions regarding the Polish government's involvement.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Since taking office last year, U.S. President Donald Trump has expanded immigration enforcement as part of a campaign conducted by ICE, increasing the number of detentions and deportations.
Human rights groups say such policies violate the right to due process and freedom of speech, while the administration claims they are aimed at combating illegal migration and increasing security.
Another flight with Ukrainian citizens arrived at Rzeszów-Jasionka Airport on April 30, although the number of passengers is unknown, according to the statement by Amnesty International and Human Rights First.
The organizations stated that conditions in Ukraine are unsafe for people to return, adding that under international law, Poland should not send people to places where their lives or freedom are in danger.
Polish authorities must investigate these incidents, establish the location of the victims, and ensure their protection from return, dignified treatment, and effective legal protection