KEYIR NEWS:- The Trump administration is exploring new deportation arrangements that involve sending third-country nationals, migrants who are not from the United States or their destination country, to African nations.
South Sudan has already accepted eight deportees under this policy, while Rwanda has confirmed it is in talks with U.S. officials for a potential agreement. Nigeria, however, has stated it is resisting pressure to accept similar deals.
These arrangements mark a shift in U.S. immigration policy, expanding a practice previously applied in Latin America. In recent years, the U.S. has deported hundreds of Venezuelans and other migrants to Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Panama. However, such transfers to African, Asian, or European countries have yet to be widely implemented or formalised.
Supporters of the policy argue it helps reduce irregular migration by deterring asylum-seekers from entering the U.S. without authorization. They say offshoring deportations to third countries alleviates pressure on the American asylum system.
However, human rights groups and legal experts have criticized the practice. They warn that sending individuals to countries with which they have no personal or legal connection can violate international protection norms, especially if the destination has a poor human rights record.
The debate echoes similar controversies in other parts of the world. In 2023, the U.K. Supreme Court ruled that a plan to send rejected asylum-seekers to Rwanda was unlawful, citing risks of refoulement and inadequate protection guarantees.
As the U.S. continues to pursue third-country deportation deals, observers warn that transparency, legal safeguards, and respect for human dignity must guide future agreements, particularly in regions still recovering from conflict or instability.