United States implements third-country deportation agreements

The United States government has implemented a controversial migration strategy involving deportation agreements with 35 countries across Africa, Latin America, and Asia. Under the Trump administration, the ‘Office of Remigration’ within the State Department has facilitated the transfer of migrants to third countries that may have no cultural or national connection to the individuals, such as sending Venezuelans to Liberia.

Internal documents indicate that at least $410 million has been promised to 31 countries to host these deportees. For example, Eswatini reportedly accepted up to 150 people in exchange for $5.1 million. Christian Ehrhardt, head of the office, has been active in negotiating these arrangements. While some nations like Costa Rica have participated, others have resisted; Ivory Coast has categorically refused U.S. requests to host deportees, citing national sovereignty.