US Third-Country Deportations Cost $40 Million, Senate Democrats Report

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A new congressional review says the US spent about $40 million on third-country deportations last year.
The findings highlight roughly 300 migrants sent to nations other than their homelands.
Democratic staff from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee compiled the report.
They argue the program expanded rapidly as immigration enforcement tightened.

Democrats Question Third-Country Deportations Policy

Lawmakers on the committee described third-country deportations as costly and weakly supervised.
They warned the system now operates with limited public transparency and oversight.
Senator Jeanne Shaheen led the Democratic review and called for deeper investigation.
She said the policy demands stronger accountability and clearer reporting standards.

The report marks the first congressional examination of these deportation agreements.
It outlines spending patterns and diplomatic arrangements tied to the removals.

State Department Defends Enforcement Strategy

Despite criticism, administration officials strongly defend third-country deportations.
The State Department oversees negotiations with partner countries accepting deported migrants.
Officials say the agreements support broader efforts to curb illegal immigration.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the removals during a Senate hearing.
He stressed authorities had deported gang members and other serious offenders.
Rubio argued the United States must prevent criminal networks from operating domestically.

Payments Made to Several Partner Countries

The report identified large payments sent to several participating countries.
Lump-sum transfers ranged from about $4.7 million to $7.5 million per nation.
Countries listed include Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, El Salvador, Eswatini, and Palau.

El Salvador received the largest group of deportees.
Around 250 Venezuelan nationals were transferred there last March.
Other destinations accepted far smaller numbers.
Equatorial Guinea reportedly received 29 migrants, while Palau has accepted none.

Wider Network of Agreements Still Expanding

Internal government documents suggest the program stretches far beyond those five countries.
Officials have explored 47 possible third-country arrangements at different negotiation stages.
Fifteen agreements are already completed, while ten more approach final approval.

The administration is also pursuing separate deals for asylum processing abroad.
These arrangements allow migrants to stay in partner countries during claim reviews.
Seventeen such agreements exist in various stages, including nine already active.

Officials say formal completion is not always required before transfers occur.

Human Rights Groups Raise Due Process Concerns

Immigration advocates strongly oppose the third-country deportations system.
They argue migrants risk being sent to unstable nations with corruption problems.
Critics also warn deportees may face limited legal protections after arrival.

During a visit to South Sudan, Democratic staff inspected detention conditions.
They found deportees housed in a guarded compound with armed security.
Migrants from countries including Vietnam and Mexico were reportedly held there.

Advocacy groups say such arrangements raise serious humanitarian and legal questions.

Report Highlights Possible Financial Waste

Beyond human rights concerns, Democrats questioned the policy’s financial efficiency.
The report documents cases where migrants were flown twice at government expense.
Some deportees were first sent to third countries, then returned home later.

Shaheen said many migrants could have been returned directly initially.
Direct flights, she argued, would have avoided unnecessary costs and delays.
Several Democratic senators joined her statement supporting tighter scrutiny.

Diplomatic Benefits Remain Unclear

The report also questions what partner countries receive in exchange.
Officials say some governments may expect political or economic concessions.
Diplatic communications released earlier this year illustrate those concerns.

After signing an agreement, South Sudan reportedly sent Washington a request list.
The requests included support for prosecuting an opposition leader.
They also sought sanctions relief for a senior official accused of corruption.

Shaheen additionally questioned a $7.5 million payment to Equatorial Guinea.
The transfer coincided with closer ties to Vice President Teodoro Nguema Obiang.
He has faced international scrutiny over alleged corruption and lavish spending.

Debate Over Policy Likely to Continue

The report ensures third-country deportations will remain a contentious political issue.
Democrats demand more transparency, financial review, and human rights safeguards.
Administration officials insist the strategy strengthens border enforcement and national security.

With negotiations ongoing and transfers continuing, congressional oversight is expected to intensify.
Future hearings could determine whether the policy expands further or faces restrictions.