Investigation Highlights Expansion of US Deportations to Third Countries Under Trump Administration

Investigation Highlights Expansion of US Deportations to Third Countries Under Trump Administration
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An international investigation has found that the United States has expanded the deportation of migrants and asylum seekers to third countries where they are not citizens and often have no legal or personal ties.

According to data compiled by human rights groups and independent monitoring projects, more than 23,000 people had been transferred by US authorities to third countries by mid-August 2026, including around 20,000 sent to Mexico. Others were deported to countries across Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa and other regions.

The investigation, conducted by Forbidden Stories and international media partners, reported that the US administration had reached transfer agreements with more than 35 countries since January 2025.

The Trump administration says the deportations comply with immigration laws and are aimed at removing individuals without legal status in the United States. However, human rights organizations have raised concerns over transparency, legal protections and the risks faced by migrants sent to countries where they lack connections or may face further displacement.

Data from ICE Flight Monitor also showed a rise in deportation flights, with hundreds of flights recorded in 2026 to dozens of countries.

Human rights groups are calling for greater disclosure of deportation agreements, stronger legal oversight and guarantees that the rights and safety of migrants and asylum seekers are protected throughout the process