Congress Raises Concerns Over US Deportations to Third Countries

More than 60 Democratic lawmakers have sent a letter to the Trump administration expressing serious concerns about the ongoing practice of deporting immigrants to third countries with which they have no connections.

The legislators are demanding transparency by requesting detailed information about the scope of these third-country removals. They highlight cases where individuals have been sent to nations such as South Sudan and struck in detention there, often without adequate opportunities to challenge their deportation or ensure their safety. The administration has also opposed legal efforts to delay or halt deportations to unstable countries.

Lawmakers are seeking answers on how frequently the government attempts to send individuals back to their country of origin, a list of countries with agreements for deportations, and the number of people deported without diplomatic assurances against torture or persecution. The letter is directed to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, led by Senators Elizabeth Warren and Chris Van Hollen, along with several Representatives.

Concerns center on the administration’s apparent efforts to sidestep due process by offshoring detention and deportation procedures outside the U.S. This includes reports of individuals being suddenly detained and flown to unfamiliar countries, often with little notice or opportunity to contest or express fears of persecution or torture.

One notable case involved the deportation of over 200 Venezuelans to El Salvador’s notorious CECOT prison, where detainees have reported horrific conditions. The administration has also deployed third-country removals to nations in Latin America and Africa, including Eswatini and South Sudan.

Legal standards specify that third-country removals should only occur when returning someone to their home country is impractical or unsafe. However, there are numerous instances where efforts to repatriate individuals to their countries of origin appear to have been bypassed, raising questions about whether these operations comply with U.S. laws and constitutional protections.

Members of Congress argue that these rapid expulsions are likely attempts to circumvent due process, enabling swift deportations on a large scale, often without proper legal procedures or safeguards.