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UN Experts Urge US to Halt Migrant Deportations to Third Countries Amid Abuse Fears
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CNBC TV18•28-09-2026, 23:10
UN Experts Urge US to Halt Migrant Deportations to Third Countries Amid Abuse Fears
- •UN human rights experts have called on the US government to stop deporting migrants to third countries, citing heightened risks of abuse, torture, and persecution.
- •The Trump administration has made agreements with African governments to accept migrants who cannot be legally returned to their home countries, even if US judges granted them protection.
- •At least 23,000 third-country nationals have been sent to 29 nations and territories, raising concerns about potential abuse in countries like Equatorial Guinea and Central African Republic.
- •The experts warned that the US policy is causing a "cascade of human rights violations," particularly affecting vulnerable groups such as children, women, and LGBT persons.
- •Washington has previously defended these third-country deals as lawful, and President Trump has asked the US Supreme Court to allow the policy to continue after lower court rulings against it.
Key Questions Answered
UN human rights experts urged the US to halt third-country deportations because the policy places migrants at heightened risks of abuse, including torture, persecution, and a cascade of human rights violations in destination countries. Many of those affected had previously won protection from US judges.
An investigation found that the United States has deported more than 25,000 migrants to third countries with which they have no ties.
President Donald Trump asked the US Supreme Court to allow the administration to continue the policy after lower courts ruled it unlawful. A federal appeals court previously rejected the policy because it denied noncitizens prior notice and a meaningful opportunity to contest their removal destinations.
