The essentials
U.S. deported 25,000+ migrants to third countries; court blocked policy despite Supreme Court approval.
The Trump administration has deported over 25,000 migrants to third countries under a policy that enables sending individuals to nations other than their country of origin. The United States spent nearly $50 million on third-country deportation agreements to facilitate these operations.
Migrants were deported to Liberia and the Central African Republic without prior notification, according to available records. These deportations proceeded without advance notice to the receiving countries or affected individuals, marking a significant shift in deportation procedures.
However, a federal appeals court in Boston has blocked the third-country deportation policy, sustaining a lower court's earlier decision against the practice. The ruling complicates continued implementation of the program, though the Supreme Court previously ruled favorably on third-country deportation, creating conflicting judicial positions. The legal challenge reflects ongoing court scrutiny of enforcement policies as the administration pursues alternative legal pathways.
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Third-country deportation program processes 25,000 individuals amid legal challenges
Over 25,000 migrants were deported to third countries under a policy enacted in March 2025, with the U.S. spending nearly $50 million on agreements enabling the practice. Deportations to Liberia and Central African Republic proceeded without advance notice. The operational scale reflects enforcement priorities, though courts have now blocked further implementation pending legal resolution.
Appeals court blocks third-country deportations despite Supreme Court precedent
A federal appeals court blocked Trump's third-country deportation policy, sustaining a lower court decision against the practice. This creates conflicting judicial positions, as the Supreme Court previously ruled favorably on third-country deportation. The legal setback complicates the administration's strategy, requiring pursuit of alternative pathways while 25,000+ individuals have already been deported under the blocked policy.