In July 2025, Donald Trump’s administration reinstated one of its most controversial immigration policies: deportations of immigrants to third countries, i.e., nations other than those of origin of those affected. The measure was made possible following a Supreme Court decision that gave the green light to the administration to resume these flights without prior notice to the deportees.
The Department of Homeland Security(DHS) confirmed that one of these flights recently landed in Esuatini, southern Africa. On board were five men from Vietnam, Jamaica, Laos, Yemen and Cuba, considered “highly dangerous” by the U.S. government. According to DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin, the deportees were facing charges of murder, robbery and assault.
Green light from the Supreme Court
On June 23, 2025, the Supreme Court overturned a court order temporarily blocking these deportations.
By a vote of 6 to 3, the conservative majority allowed ICE to continue its “safe third country” policy.
Even if the immigrants have never had any link to those destinations.
Liberal judges, led by Sonia Sotomayor, expressed their disagreement.
In his dissenting opinion, he warned that “sending human beings to unknown countries, without warning or hearing, violates fundamental principles of due process and can put lives at risk.”
Deportations without territorial connection
In this new phase of the program, the destinations are not limited to the countries of origin.
ICE has begun deporting migrants to countries such as South Sudan, Liberia, Rwanda, Mauritania, Senegal and Esuatini.
Many of these countries agree to receive deportees in exchange for diplomatic agreements or bilateral cooperation.
The deportees faced charges such as homicide, robbery, and assault
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One of the most striking cases was the transfer of eight people – including two Cubans and a Mexican – from a military base in Djibouti to South Sudan.
This follows weeks of detention without contact with lawyers or family members.
The flights have been described by human rights groups as “secret, fast and dangerous”.
Reaction from migrant defenders
Organizations such as the ACLU, CARECEN and the National Immigrant Justice Center have condemned the program for violating international rights.
Including the Convention against Torture, by exposing people to unsafe situations without individual assessment and appeal mechanisms.
The program has also been criticized for a lack of transparency and for providing only 6 hours notice of deportation in some cases.
This prevents the filing of emergency petitions to stop the transfer.
The Hispanic community, especially those with pending immigration cases or minor backgrounds, face greater uncertainty.
Some may be deported to countries where they have never lived or have family members, without recourse to the judicial system.
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