The United States has deported over 25,000 migrants under secret deals with third countries, according to an investigation by Forbidden Stories. Since taking office in January 2025, US President Donald Trump has signed agreements with several developing countries to accept migrants who cannot be deported to their home countries due to legal restrictions. The deals have been shrouded in secrecy, with the US administration allocating $410m to facilitate the deportations.
The $410m allocated by the US administration included $81m for countries that agreed to sign deportation agreements. The remaining amount went to UN-affiliated aid organizations to facilitate the deportation process. According to data collected by Forbidden Stories, a total of 25,447 people were deported under these secret deals by August 31, 2026. The majority of these deportations, around 20,000, were to Mexico, with the rest scattered across 27 countries in Latin America, Africa, and the Pacific.
The investigation by Forbidden Stories, which collaborated with journalists from around the world, revealed that seven additional countries joined the deportation agreements later on. The terms of these agreements vary from country to country, particularly with regards to the nationalities of migrants and their criminal records. This development has raised concerns about the human rights implications of these secret deals.
An investigation by French news agency AFP earlier this year found that the US had blocked entry visas for some African countries and imposed other restrictions to pressure them into accepting deported migrants. Forbidden Stories reported that the Trump administration had reached out to 49 African countries out of 54 in search of nations willing to accept deported migrants with no ties to them.
The US State Department's lesser-known bureau, established in May 2025, managed most of the negotiations and disbursed funds for the deportation agreements. The bureau's role in handling these secret deals has sparked questions about accountability and transparency in the US government's deportation policies.
The deportation agreements have been criticized for their secrecy and lack of transparency. The US administration has not disclosed the full details of these deals, citing national security concerns. However, human rights groups have expressed concerns that these agreements may violate international human rights law.
The issue of migrant deportations has been a contentious topic in the US, with the Trump administration facing criticism for its handling of the issue. The secret deals with third countries have added to the controversy, with many calling for greater transparency and accountability in the US government's deportation policies.
Key points
- The US has deported over 25,000 migrants under secret deals with third countries.
- The deals were worth $410m, with $81m allocated to countries that agreed to accept deported migrants.
- The majority of deportations were to Mexico, with the rest scattered across 27 countries in Latin America, Africa, and the Pacific.
