The US has deported thousands to third countries. This must stop | James A Goldston and Natasha Arnpriester
Summary
The United States has been deporting thousands of people to third countries that are not their home nations, including places with unsafe conditions. New deals, such as one with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), send asylum seekers to countries with poor asylum systems and difficult living conditions, raising concerns about human rights and legal protections.Key Facts
- José Yugar-Cruz, from Bolivia, sought asylum in the US and was found at risk of torture if returned home, but was held in jail for 17 months instead of being released.
- After a new US agreement with the DRC, Yugar-Cruz faced possible deportation to a country he had never visited and where he has no family or language skills.
- Flights deporting people to third countries like the DRC often involve prisoners being chained and taken to poor living conditions.
- The US government under President Trump has made deals with countries including the DRC, South Sudan, El Salvador, and others to accept deported people.
- More than 17,500 people have been deported to third countries as of May 2026, with the number increasing quickly.
- US courts have had mixed responses, sometimes blocking and sometimes allowing third-country deportations.
- Human rights groups criticize these deals for lacking transparency and for sending people to unsafe places.
- The Department of Homeland Security has kept the details of these deportation agreements largely secret from the public and legal representatives.
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