A recent investigative report has revealed that the US government has expelled over 25,000 people to third countries with which they have no direct connection. The report, conducted by 72 journalists from 15 countries and published by Forbidden Stories, exposed the existence of secret agreements between the US government and 35 nations to outsource the deportation of foreign nationals. These agreements have been in place since January 2025, when Donald Trump returned to the White House.
The US government has reportedly spent at least $410 million to facilitate these expulsions, with funds allocated to remunerate third-party countries and finance UN agencies involved in the process. According to the report, at least 25,447 people have been expelled to 28 countries as of August 31, 2026. Mexico has received the largest number of expelled individuals, with nearly 20,000 people sent there.
The terms of these agreements vary between countries, with specific rules governing the types of individuals that can be accepted and the nationalities that are eligible. The report revealed that Washington has approached 49 of the 54 African countries to propose the transfer of foreign nationals. An earlier investigation by AFP in early 2026 had already exposed the pressure tactics employed by Washington to persuade African nations to accept the expelled individuals.
The negotiations and financial transactions related to these expulsions are managed by a discreet department of the US State Department, known as the Bureau of Remigration. Established in May 2025, the bureau is headed by Christian Jové Ehrhardt, a 41-year-old diplomat with experience as an attaché in several US embassies. The report highlights Ehrhardt's involvement in negotiations with countries such as Cameroon.
The US has concluded agreements with several countries, including Cameroon, which has accepted individuals expelled under a protocol agreement signed in December. As part of the agreement, the US has provided $400 million in healthcare aid over five years, as well as an additional $30 million to the UNHCR for voluntary returns and anti-illegal immigration efforts.
Other countries have received direct financial payments in exchange for accepting expelled individuals. For example, the Pacific island nation of Palau has accepted 75 individuals in exchange for $7.5 million, although only three people have been transferred to date. In contrast, Eswatini has received 32 individuals since July 2025, out of a total of 160 agreed upon in a $5 million contract.
The report raises concerns about the lack of transparency and accountability in the US government's immigration policies, particularly with regards to the treatment of individuals with a criminal past. Eswatini, for instance, has explicitly agreed to accept individuals with a criminal record. The US government's use of secret agreements and financial incentives to persuade countries to accept expelled individuals has sparked controversy and debate.
Key points
- The US has expelled over 25,000 people to third countries with no direct link to them.
- The US government has spent at least $410 million to facilitate these expulsions.
- The agreements have been criticized for lack of transparency and accountability.
