WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Trump administration spent at least $40 million to deport roughly 300 migrants to countries other than their own, according to a report compiled by Democratic staff on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
The report, led by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, examined “third-country” deportation agreements negotiated by the State Department. It found lump-sum payments ranging from $4.7 million to $7.5 million to five countries, Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, El Salvador, Eswatini and Palau. El Salvador reportedly received about 250 Venezuelan nationals, while other nations accepted smaller numbers, including 29 sent to Equatorial Guinea and none so far to Palau.
Democrats criticized the policy as “costly, wasteful and poorly monitored,” noting instances in which migrants were deported to a third country and later flown again to their home country at additional expense.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the practice during a recent Senate hearing, stating the administration has deported gang members and others it considers public safety threats. Internal documents reviewed by The Associated Press show 47 third-country agreements in various stages of negotiation, with 15 concluded.
Immigration advocacy groups argue the policy raises due process concerns and may send migrants to nations with troubled human rights records.
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