Mass Deportation by Stealth: What’s Behind Trump’s Third-Country Removals?

The latest figures on third-country deportations under the Trump administration paint a disturbing picture: over 25,000 people have been sent to countries they may not even be familiar with. Beyond these numbers lies a more insidious truth – one that speaks to a broader pattern of migration policy and its human cost.

Rabbiatu Kuyateh’s story is a poignant example of this. Born in Sierra Leone but having lived in the US for over three decades, she was detained during a routine appointment with ICE and subsequently deported to Ghana. Her confusion and distress are understandable – as Kuyateh herself put it, “Ghana? I’m not from Ghana; what am I going to do there?” The same question can be asked of many others who have been forcibly sent to countries they may not even know.

The sheer scale of these deportations is staggering. More than 5,000 people have been removed on deportation flights, with a large majority being sent to Mexico – despite the absence of an official agreement between the two countries. Guatemala has received the second-largest number of third-country deportees. Central American countries like Costa Rica, Honduras, Panama, and El Salvador have also received significant numbers.

The Trump administration’s policy is shrouded in secrecy. Savi Arvey, director of Policy, Refugee & Immigrant Rights at Human Rights First, notes that the government has become increasingly opaque about these third-country transfers. “At the beginning of the administration,” she says, “they were really overt about the fact they’re carrying out these flights.” However, over the past year, the government has been very secretive about these transfers.

Deportation agreements have been concluded with 35 countries on six continents, including 13 African nations. Ghana has received the largest number of individuals so far, with over 100 people from third countries being sent there. But what happens to those who are deported? Do they have any support systems in place? What about their rights and protections?

The implications of this policy are far-reaching and devastating. It speaks to a broader disregard for human rights and the rule of law. The fact that over 25,000 people have been forcibly sent to countries they may not even know is a stark reminder of the consequences of such policies.

This mass deportation campaign raises questions about the very notion of “home”. Rabbiatu Kuyateh’s story highlights the complexities of migration and the multiple identities that individuals can hold. By sending her to Ghana, the Trump administration is essentially erasing her 30-year history in the US – a stark example of how migration policy can be used as a tool for social control.

The expansion of third-country deportations under the Trump administration raises concerns about future policies. Will other administrations continue down this path or will there be a shift towards more humane and rights-based policies? The answer lies not only in the numbers but also in the stories of those who have been affected. As Savi Arvey notes, “We’re seeing that the US is going well beyond Mexico and Central America to countries in the Caribbean, countries throughout South America, and countries across Africa and even in parts of Eastern Europe.” This expansion speaks to a broader pattern – one that requires urgent attention and action.

The human cost of third-country deportations under the Trump administration far outweighs the numbers. It’s up to us to demand accountability and action from our leaders.