US Departs 25,000 Migrants to Third Countries Under New Policy
US authorities have deported over 25,000 people to third countries, including 12 in Africa, according to a joint investigation.
Key points
- Over 25,000 migrants have been deported from the US to third countries since 2025, including 12 African nations.
- Deportees often lack legal status or protection in receiving countries, with some facing risks of persecution.
- Legal experts argue this practice bypasses international non-refoulement obligations for protected individuals.
Since Donald Trump returned to power, the United States has deported more than 25,000 migrants to third countries, often to destinations with which they have no prior connection. According to a six-month investigation coordinated by Forbidden Stories and involving 23 media outlets, hundreds of these individuals were sent to African nations, where at least 12 countries have agreed to receive them.
The findings, published by inkl.com among others, indicate that some deportees were imprisoned without judicial review or left without clear legal status. The report highlights cases where individuals were sent to countries where they faced risks of persecution or torture, raising significant concerns about compliance with international protection standards.
Case of Iranian Deportee
Nika, a 32-year-old Iranian woman, was deported to the Central African Republic in June 2026 despite holding withholding of removal, a legal status that prohibits return to Iran due to persecution risks. She was transported on a chartered plane by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) alongside other migrants from Syria, Georgia, Afghanistan, and Iraq.
Nika reported being shackled during the flight and was unaware of her destination until mid-air. Her lawyer, Sahar Jalili Pawelski, stated that third-country removal has become a primary tool for bypassing the ban on refoulement, which prohibits returning people to countries where they face serious harm.
Legal Mechanisms and Constraints
While US law does not explicitly ban deportation to third countries, such removals were historically rare. The current administration has utilized dozens of agreements with foreign states to facilitate these transfers, often when the country of origin refuses to accept the individual or when the person has legal protection against return.
This practice contrasts with previous policies where individuals granted withholding of removal were permitted to remain in the United States. The shift has been criticized by legal experts for potentially undermining international obligations regarding the safety of asylum seekers and refugees.
International Legal Implications
International law prohibits returning individuals to countries where they risk persecution, a principle known as non-refoulement. The investigation suggests that the current US approach may circumvent this obligation by redirecting migrants to third countries that may not offer adequate protection or legal recourse.
As the number of third-country deportations continues to rise, observers are watching how diplomatic agreements evolve and whether legal challenges will emerge to test the boundaries of US authority in these transfers. The long-term implications for international migration law remain uncertain.
