The Trump administration may soon begin deporting immigrants to up to 58 countries that are not their nation of origin, following a recent US Supreme Court ruling that overturned restrictions on such removals. Human rights organisations have warned that sending individuals to unfamiliar countries—where they may lack personal ties or knowledge of the local language—could expose them to serious harm, including abuse, violence, and potential statelessness.
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As part of its effort to dramatically increase deportations, the White House has been lobbying dozens of countries to accept non-citizen deportees, according to reports from The New York Times. Several nations—including Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, Panama, Costa Rica, Rwanda, and Kosovo—have already agreed to some level of cooperation. However, many of the countries being approached are experiencing political instability, conflict, or human rights abuses, including Libya and South Sudan.
The emergency ruling, passed in a 6–3 decision by the court’s conservative majority, overturned an injunction that previously blocked these removals without adequate notice. The liberal minority on the court strongly dissented, accusing the administration of undermining legal safeguards. One federal judge in Massachusetts accused the government of violating the injunction when it attempted to deport eight immigrants to South Sudan, where they remain in legal limbo at a US base in Djibouti.
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Financial incentives have reportedly been offered to countries that agree to host deportees, with Rwanda allegedly receiving $100,000 to accept an Iraqi man, and El Salvador being paid millions to house Venezuelans in a controversial high-security facility. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has openly supported the policy, arguing it will deter future immigration. But critics, including legal advocates, warn that the Supreme Court’s decision could put thousands at risk of torture or death, as diplomatic deals continue behind closed doors.
