WASHINGTON — A new Democratic Senate report alleges that Trump administration third-country deportation costs exceeded $1 million per migrant.
In several cases, with total spending likely surpassing $40 million through January 2026.
The report, led by Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, examines agreements that sent migrants to countries that were not their homeland.
It concludes that the administration spent more than $30 million on high-cost deportation deals involving relatively small numbers of people.
Senate Report Details Third-Country Deportation Spending
The Democratic minority report outlines agreements with more than 20 countries.
It states the administration is negotiating with dozens more.
According to the report:
- Five governments received more than $32 million
- Those countries collectively accepted about 300 migrants
- Some cases exceeded $1 million per deportee
- Military aircraft were frequently used for small flights
The report estimates that third-country deportation flights alone cost more than $7.2 million as of January 2026.
Countries Receiving Major Payments
The report identifies five countries that received large payments:
- Rwanda — $7.5 million for seven migrants
- El Salvador — $4.76 million grant tied to detaining deportees
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eswatini
- Palau — $7.5 million despite receiving no migrants
In Rwanda’s case, the report calculates that each deportation exceeded $1 million in taxpayer cost.
The report also notes that Palau received funding but did not accept any deportees.
Migrants Returned After Third-Country Transfers
The report alleges that more than 80% of migrants sent to third countries had either already returned or were in the process of returning to their home country as of January 2026.
It also describes cases where the government allegedly:
- Paid a third country to accept a migrant
- Then paid again to send the migrant back home
Examples cited include:
- A Mexican national deported to South Sudan and later returned to Mexico
- A Jamaican national sent to Eswatini, then flown back to Jamaica weeks later
The report argues that these cases increased costs without producing lasting results.
Administration Defends Immigration Enforcement Strategy
The Trump administration has pursued third-country agreements as part of a broader deportation strategy.
Officials argue that some migrants cannot return to their home countries due to diplomatic barriers.
Under these agreements:
- Countries accept non-citizens from the U.S.
- The U.S. provides financial or political incentives
State Department Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott defended the effort. He argued the policy reinforces immigration law enforcement and enhances national security.
The Department of Homeland Security is yet to publicly respond to the report’s detailed cost claims.
Human Rights and Legal Challenges
Lawmakers and advocacy groups have raised concerns about:
- Human rights conditions in receiving countries
- Alleged lack of oversight on treatment of deportees
- Limited monitoring of compliance with international standards
The report claims that some administration officials acknowledged that certain countries did not fully uphold assurances regarding treatment.
Legal challenges followed. A federal judge ordered the administration to let some Venezuelan deportees sent to El Salvador challenge their removal in court.
Human Rights Watch and Cristosal previously alleged abuse against deported Venezuelans held in Salvadoran prisons.
Political and Diplomatic Implications
The report argues that the policy:
- Increased taxpayer costs
- Consumed diplomatic leverage
- Raised concerns about long-term strategy
Democratic members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee signed the report.
It calls for greater transparency on third-country deportation agreements.
The administration continues to defend the policy as a necessary enforcement tool.
