During a Cabinet meeting today, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the U.S. has established deportation agreements with 20 foreign countries to facilitate the return of illegal immigrants who cannot be sent back to their own nations.
Rubio explained:
Securing our borders involves addressing the situation of individuals living here illegally. Many of these people don’t wish to go back for different reasons, such as difficulties in their home countries or legal obstacles preventing us from deporting them.
One of our significant achievements is the signing of third country national agreements with twenty countries, which are deemed safe for individuals who opt not to return to their country of origin. So, we now have twenty countries where deportations can occur.
Rubio pointed out that such “safe third country” agreements would enable ICE to expedite deportations, especially amidst numerous ongoing lawsuits.
Often, when we approach someone here illegally and suggest sending them to a third country, they suddenly express a desire to return to their home country. This gives us a stronger ability to enforce the law, and we work alongside the Department of Homeland Security in that regard.
For instance, in April, ICE deported several Latino immigrants to the Congo after advocates for immigration managed to halt their return. This shift has notably increased the number of individuals opting for “voluntary deportation.”
Between January and March, approximately 80,000 migrants chose “voluntary deportation” rather than face deportation to unfamiliar countries in Africa or Asia.
Large groups of migrants have been dropped off in locations like Panama, Ghana, Rwanda, South Sudan, and Uganda.
However, many immigrants from countries such as India, China, Laos, and Vietnam are stuck, as their governments are preventing their return.
Some among them have criminal backgrounds and have re-entered American streets after serving time. Others are seeking low-wage jobs often exploited by unsavory businesses.
“Safe third” nations must be willing to protect those deported, but typically expect compensation for accepting these individuals.
Rubio has also aimed to reduce the influx of Indian migrant workers, such as truck drivers and H-1B visa holders, a move that has drawn criticism from the Indian government.
This displeasure became evident when Indian officials declined to meet with Rubio during his recent visits to India.
