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US ramps up third-country deportations amid legal and human rights concerns
The United States has intensified its diplomatic efforts to deport migrants to third countries, targeting nations willing to accept individuals whose home countries refuse to repatriate them. Rwanda, Eswatini, and South Sudan are among the countries now cooperating with the U.S. on these controversial agreements, despite criticism from human rights organizations over alleged abuses.
Rwanda, which recently agreed to receive 250 deportees, has pledged to provide job training, medical care, and housing assistance. In exchange, the U.S. will reportedly provide financial compensation, though the exact amount remains undisclosed. This deal mirrors a failed 2022 agreement between Rwanda and the United Kingdom, which was struck down by the British Supreme Court. While Rwanda has been praised for its post-genocide recovery, its government under President Paul Kagame faces accusations of suppressing dissent and backing armed groups in neighboring Congo.
Eswatini, one of the world’s last absolute monarchies, has taken in five deportees from various countries, including Cuba and Yemen. The men have been placed in solitary confinement and denied legal representation, sparking a legal challenge by local human rights lawyers. The country has faced international scrutiny for its harsh governance under King Mswati III, with reports of torture and suppression of pro-democracy protests.
South Sudan, despite its ongoing humanitarian crisis and violent conflict, was the first African nation to accept migrants deported by the U.S. In July, eight detainees from countries including Cuba and Vietnam were sent to the nation after spending weeks at a U.S. military base in Djibouti.
The U.S. has also sought agreements with several Latin American nations, including El Salvador, Costa Rica, and Mexico. El Salvador, for instance, accepted over 200 Venezuelan deportees accused of gang affiliations in exchange for $5 million. However, these agreements have often sparked public backlash, with many flights suspended after reports of inhumane detention conditions. rights advocates argue that the countries involved lack the infrastructure and protections needed to ensure the safety of deportees. Nicolas Palazzo, a policy advisor at HIAS, criticized the program, stating, “Not only are they not safe countries, but they also fail to provide the procedural protections necessary for people fleeing persecution or torture under international law.”
Despite widespread criticism, the U.S. government continues to negotiate with other nations, including Morocco, Tunisia, and Turkmenistan. These deals often involve financial incentives, political favors, or even prisoner swaps. Kosovo, for example, agreed to accept 50 deportees in return for U.S. pressure on other nations to recognize its independence.
Legal challenges to third-country deportations remain unresolved. A Supreme Court decision has allowed the practice to proceed temporarily, but deportations are often carried out with limited notice, leaving migrants in legal limbo in unfamiliar countries where they lack connections or basic rights.
As the U.S. expands its deportation efforts, concerns over transparency, accountability, and the treatment of deportees continue to grow.
