TMZ has obtained exclusive footage showing a tense and emotional deportation at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) involving two women who authorities believe were in the country illegally. The incident, which unfolded on Tuesday, underscores the intensifying immigration enforcement operations underway across the United States.
Shackled and Escorted: A Harsh Reality
The video opens with the women shackled and handcuffed inside a detention van operated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Hesitant to exit the vehicle, the women are seen having a quiet emotional moment before CBP agents urge them to move. One agent is heard saying,
“It’s too late for that. There ain’t no more talking. Listen, you need to move now. Let’s go. You’re going to live in the back of the truck for the rest of your life?”
Eventually, the women exit the van and have their leg shackles removed, though they remain handcuffed and are forced to carry their own luggage into the terminal, escorted by armed CBP agents.
The Deportation Process at LAX
Sources familiar with immigration operations at LAX tell TMZ that this type of removal is a common occurrence. When U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) apprehends undocumented individuals in Southern California, they are typically transferred to CBP at LAX for final deportation.
Once under CBP custody, agents escort the individuals through the terminal and directly to the departure gate, ensuring they board flights to their home countries. In this particular case, one of the agents is heard mentioning Turkey as the country of origin for the two women, though this has not been officially confirmed.
No Legal Path Back
Immigration experts say that once individuals are deported after illegal residency, their immigration records are permanently flagged, making it extremely difficult—if not impossible—for them to legally re-enter the U.S. in the future. These flags are tied to any future visa or asylum applications, often resulting in automatic denials.
Part of a Broader Crackdown
This deportation comes amid a widening immigration sweep following President Donald Trump’s second-term inauguration. The administration has ramped up border security and interior enforcement, with a focus on detaining and removing individuals residing in the U.S. without legal documentation.
In fact, sources say another deportation scheduled for the same day was delayed due to a health emergency. A Turkish national, who had agreed to self-deport after being arrested in San Diego, suffered chest pains at LAX and had to be hospitalized. His removal has been postponed until he recovers.
A Glimpse Into a Harsh System
The video provides a raw look at the human side of immigration enforcement, revealing the emotional toll on those being deported as well as the bluntness of the process. While some view this as necessary enforcement of U.S. immigration law, others see it as an example of a system lacking compassion, especially when dealing with vulnerable individuals.
