What does "expedited removal" refer to?

The term "expedited removal" refers to a procedure that allows immigration authorities to quickly remove certain individuals who are seeking entry to the United States without going through a formal hearing process. This process is generally applied to individuals who have recently arrived at the border and meet specific criteria, such as having no legal entry documentation or being otherwise inadmissible under U.S. law.

The expedited removal process streamlines handling cases of immigration violations, effectively allowing designated law enforcement officers to make swift determinations about an individual's eligibility to enter the country and, if warranted, to carry out immediate removal. This approach is intended to enhance border security and manage immigration more efficiently, especially in situations where individuals may not have legitimate claims to remain in the U.S.

Other options describe separate immigration processes that do not pertain to expedited removal. For example, applying for refugee status involves a complex application process with protections under U.S. law, while the other options discuss work visas and legal extensions, which are unrelated to the expedited removal framework.