A new report says the United States has deported more than 25,000 people to third countries since January 2025, using agreements with governments described as “secretive.” The investigation attributes the figure to deals signed after Donald Trump took office, under which migrants who cannot legally be sent back are instead transferred to other nations.
The outlets summarizing the report state that the transfers involve migrants who reportedly have no ties to the receiving countries and that agreements include payments or other arrangements. One account says the destination list totals 35 countries. Another emphasizes that the deals are made with developing countries. The reporting focuses on the scope of the transfers and the lack of transparency around how the arrangements are negotiated and carried out.
While the sources align on the headline figure, the specific framing differs: Euronews highlights the “third-country” approach linked to the start of the Trump administration, while Nigeria’s Punch and South Africa’s IOL focus on the number of destination countries and the reportedly confidential nature of the agreements.
