US deportations to third countries shrouded in secrecy

"Secrecy has dominated the deportations that the United States has carried out to third-party African countries those that are not the deportees' countries of origin. Rwanda is the latest nation on the continent to receive seven deportees. Nothing is known about them: neither their names, origins, the charges against them, nor their current whereabouts. The transfer took place in early August, but the administration only made it public on August 28. Before Rwanda, South Sudan and Eswatini received flights in July carrying migrants sent from the United States. These transfers were not reported until weeks after they occurred, and the administration did not provide the identities of the deportees, who remain imprisoned in high-security facilities."

"Their lawyers allege that they are being held in isolation, cannot communicate with anyone, do not know the crimes they are accused of, and fear they may be tortured as they have been sent to countries where human rights are not respected. Critics also point out that these deportations are dangerous and cruel, as the individuals are sent to countries where, in addition to the risk of torture, they have no connections and do not speak the language."

"The U.S. Department of Homeland Security stated in June that deportations to third countries allow the U.S. to expel people who are so uniquely barbaric that their own countries won't take them back. The deportees' lawyers dispute this claim. It remains unclear whether the Trump administration even attempted to repatriate them [...] Neither the Vietnamese nor Laotian governments have publicly declined repatriation, and neither has had direct access to these men."

Secret deportations by the United States transferred migrants to third-party African countries, including Rwanda, South Sudan, and Eswatini. The identities, origins, charges, and current whereabouts of those deported remain unknown. Transfers occurred in July and early August but were disclosed only weeks later. Lawyers report deportees are held in high-security facilities in isolation, cannot communicate, do not know accusations against them, and fear torture in countries with poor human rights records. The Department of Homeland Security framed third-country deportations as a way to expel those whose countries refuse return; lawyers contest that claim and some deportees seek repatriation.

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