US Moves 25,000 Migrants to Third Countries via $410M Deals
Washington has relocated over 25,000 people to 35 nations, paying governments and UN agencies to accept those it cannot return home.
Key points
- The US has deported 25,447 migrants to 35 third countries, with Mexico receiving roughly 20,000 individuals.
- Washington allocated $410 million to fund these transfers, paying recipient governments and UN agencies like IOM and UNHCR.
- Critics argue that deportees are held without charges in countries where they have no legal ties or rights.
The United States has removed more than 25,000 migrants to third countries under a series of bilateral agreements, according to data cited by Taipei Times. As of August 31, authorities had transferred at least 25,447 individuals to 35 states, many of which have no prior connection to the deportees' countries of origin.
These arrangements are part of a broader strategy to manage migration flows that the administration claims it cannot legally resolve through standard repatriation. The initiative involves significant financial transfers, with the US government allocating funds to recipient governments and international bodies to facilitate the intake and processing of these individuals.
Financial mechanisms drive migration transfers
According to internal State Department documents, the US allocated $410 million for these operations. Of this total, $81 million was directed to the governments of signing nations. The remaining funds were earmarked for international organizations, including $178 million for the International Organization for Migration and $123 million for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.
The distribution of funds varies significantly by country and agreement terms. For instance, Palau agreed to receive up to 75 third-country nationals in exchange for $7.5 million, though only three individuals were actually sent. In contrast, Cameroon signed a memorandum in December and subsequently concluded a five-year medical assistance program worth nearly $400 million, with the first flight of deportees arriving in January.
Mexico receives majority of deportees
Mexico has absorbed the largest share of these transfers, receiving approximately 20,000 people. The remainder were distributed among 27 other countries across Latin America, Africa, and the Pacific region. The terms of these agreements differ, with some specifying which nationalities may be accepted and others determining whether individuals with criminal records are permitted entry.
US representatives reportedly approached 49 of 54 African countries with proposals to accept deportees. AFP previously reported that Washington used visa restrictions as leverage to secure consent from these nations. Eswatini, for example, accepted 32 of a possible 160 people under a deal worth over $5 million, with claims that some arrivals had criminal backgrounds.
Legal concerns regarding detainee rights
Legal experts interviewed by AFP have raised concerns about the status of these individuals. They note that deportees are often held without formal charges in countries where they have no ties and limited legal protections. This raises questions about the long-term humanitarian and legal implications of such third-country transfer schemes.
The forward question remains how these arrangements will evolve as more agreements are finalized. With seven additional countries having signed deals, the scope of this program is expected to expand, prompting further scrutiny from human rights organizations and legal advocates.
