The United States has signed new deportation deals with Honduras and Uganda, extending the Trump administration’s push to move asylum seekers to third countries. The agreements were revealed in documents obtained by CBS News.
Uganda agreed to take in migrants from Africa and Asia who had sought asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border. Only those without criminal records will be accepted. The number of people is not specified.
Honduras committed to receiving several hundred deportees from Spanish-speaking nations over two years. Families with children are included. Documents say Honduras could accept more beyond that initial quota.
These pacts add to a broader network of deportation partnerships. At least a dozen countries have now signed on. Last week the State Department said Paraguay joined as a “safe third country.” Rwanda earlier agreed to take up to 250 migrants, with approval on a case-by-case basis.
Panama and Costa Rica already received several hundred deportees this year. Officials have also approached Ecuador and Spain about similar arrangements.
The Supreme Court cleared the way in June. The ruling lets the U.S. send migrants to countries other than their homeland, without requiring individual risk assessments. Justices Sotomayor, Kagan, and Jackson dissented, calling it “a gross abuse.”
Human rights groups and UN experts have condemned the policy. They warn migrants could face danger in countries with poor rights records or even risk being sent on again to unsafe places. Rwanda’s role has been singled out for criticism.
The Trump administration frames the strategy as essential for controlling illegal immigration. By shifting asylum seekers abroad, the U.S. avoids processing claims at home. Supporters say it fulfills a campaign promise. Critics say it breaks with international norms.
