UN Experts Demand Halt to US Third-Country Deportations Amid 'Cascade' of Rights Violations

Key points

• 24 UN human rights experts warned that US third-country deportations are causing 'deadly' consequences, including torture, enforced disappearance, and trafficking.
• The US has signed deals with 35 nations, nearly a third of which are in Africa, to accept migrants with no ties to those countries.
• Approximately 20,000 people have been transported by bus to Mexico, while over 5,000 have been flown to destinations in Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Central Asia.
• The experts stated that the policy violates the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits returning people to places where they face serious harm.
• Many receiving countries lack asylum processing infrastructure, protective holding facilities, and adequate healthcare, and some are currently experiencing conflict or severe poverty.
• The UN experts have contacted the US and all 35 partner governments, demanding an immediate halt to the arrangements and the restoration of fair asylum procedures.

Background

Since January 2025, the Trump administration has expanded its third-country deportation program, signing deals with numerous nations to relocate migrants who cannot be legally sent back to their home countries. This expansion follows a federal appeals court ruling in September 2026 that deemed the policy unlawful for due-process reasons, though the government has continued the program amid legal challenges. Previous investigations have documented that over 25,000 people have been deported to third countries, with significant numbers sent to Mexico and various African nations, often without meaningful opportunities to raise fears of persecution.

How outlets are covering it

The Guardian and France 24 both emphasize the severe human rights abuses resulting from the policy, with the Guardian highlighting specific cases of individuals facing violence and discrimination based on gender or sexual orientation. France 24 notes that the number of deportees has exceeded 25,000 by the end of August 2026, according to an international investigation. Anadolu Agency focuses on the legal and procedural violations, stressing that states cannot contract out of their international legal obligations and that non-refoulement applies at every stage of a transfer. All three sources agree that the receiving countries are often unprepared to handle the influx of migrants and that the policy is causing significant harm to vulnerable populations.

Why it matters

The UN experts' warning highlights the potential for widespread human rights violations and the erosion of international legal standards regarding the treatment of migrants. The policy's continuation despite legal challenges and international condemnation raises concerns about the US's commitment to its international obligations and the safety of vulnerable individuals. The situation also has implications for other countries, such as those in the EU, which are considering similar offshore centers for migrants, as noted by human rights lawyers.

What to watch

The US government and the 35 partner nations are expected to respond to the UN experts' demand for an immediate halt to the third-country deportation arrangements. Legal challenges to the policy are likely to continue, with potential appeals up to the Supreme Court. The international community and human rights organizations will likely monitor the situation closely, advocating for the protection of migrants' rights and the enforcement of international legal standards.