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Third-country deportations strand migrants in African nations

Third-country deportations strand migrants in African nations

Rule Changes

Appeals court says policy violates due process; Supreme Court allowed it to continue

3 days ago: Deportees describe limbo in Central African Republic

Overview

Updated 1 hour ago

More than 25,000 people have been deported by the Trump administration to countries they have no ties to. Three Cuban men NPR spoke to are stuck in the Central African Republic, unsure of their legal status and unable to work.

A federal appeals court ruled the policy violates due process in September. The Supreme Court allowed deportations to continue while it decides the case, with arguments set for December.

Why it matters

If the Supreme Court upholds the policy, thousands more migrants could be sent to countries where they face danger and have no legal standing.

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Key Indicators

25,000+
People deported to third countries
Total the Trump administration says it has deported to countries with no ties.
500+
People sent to African countries
Number documented by Human Rights Watch between February and July 2026.
6
African countries receiving deportees
Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eswatini, and South Sudan.

Voices

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People Involved

Organizations Involved

Timeline

September 2026 October 2026

6 events Latest: 3 days ago
Tap a bar to jump to that date
  1. Deportees describe limbo in Central African Republic

    Latest Reporting

    NPR reports on three men stuck in Bangui, unsure of their legal status, unable to work, and without visas or documents.

  2. Human Rights Watch documents abuses

    Report

    Report finds 500+ people sent to African countries without meaningful chance to contest removal, including LGBT people sent to states that criminalize same-sex relations.

Scenarios

1

Supreme Court rules third-country deportations unconstitutional

Possible Resolves by Q2 2027

Discussed by: Federal appeals court, Human Rights Watch

The Supreme Court hears arguments in December. If it upholds the appeals court ruling, the administration must stop sending people to countries they have no ties to without meaningful due process. The Court has allowed deportations to continue in the meantime.

2

Supreme Court upholds third-country deportations

Possible Resolves by Q2 2027

Discussed by: Trump administration, Department of Homeland Security

The administration argues it obtains diplomatic assurances from destination countries that deportees will be safe. If the Court agrees, the policy becomes a permanent tool for removing people who can't be sent home.

3

Courts order more deportees returned to the US

Possible Resolves by Q1 2027

Discussed by: Lawyers for deportees, NPR

After Judge Hinderaker ordered Soliman's return, lawyers are seeking similar outcomes for other clients, including a gay Brazilian man in the Central African Republic. If courts keep ordering returns, the policy becomes harder to administer.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

January 2019 - June 2022

Remain in Mexico (2019-2022)

The Trump administration sent tens of thousands of asylum seekers to Mexico to await US court hearings, arguing it deterred illegal immigration. Migrants waited in dangerous border cities with limited legal access.

Then

The policy was challenged in court and ended under Biden, then briefly reinstated by court order in 2021.

Now

The Supreme Court allowed Biden to terminate it in 2022, but the policy showed how far the executive could push third-country processing.

Why this matters now

Like third-country deportations, it sent people to places they had no ties to, raising due process concerns that courts ultimately weighed.

April 2022 - July 2024

UK-Rwanda deportation plan (2022-2024)

The UK government planned to send asylum seekers to Rwanda for processing, arguing it would deter Channel crossings. The first flight was blocked by a last-minute court injunction.

Then

The UK Supreme Court ruled the plan unlawful in November 2023, citing risks of refoulement.

Now

The new Labour government scrapped the plan in 2024, ending a two-year legal and political battle.

Why this matters now

Shows how courts can block schemes that send people to third countries for processing, a direct parallel to the current US legal challenge.

Sources

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