'I feel kidnapped': Latino immigrants say they're in legal limbo after being deported to country in Africa
Latin American migrants deported by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement are stranded in West Africa, facing legal limbo in countries where they have no prior ties. Affected individuals describe feeling kidnapped and report total unfamiliarity with their new surroundings, such as a Colombian deportee who stated he had never heard of Liberia. Data indicates an expansion of third-country removals, impacting thousands of people including Cuban men separated from families waiting in places like Homestead.
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- ✓ Latin American migrants deported by ICE to West Africa describe being stranded on the other side of the world.
- ✓ A Colombian deported to Africa by the U.S. stated that he had never heard of Liberia.
- ✓ Trump has deported thousands of people in third-country removals.
- ✓ Data shows an expansion of third-country deportations where migrants are sent to places they have no ties to.
What changed
Multiple news organizations and civil rights groups have highlighted the expanding scope of third-country deportations and the resulting plight of stranded Latin American migrants.
Live updates
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Latino Migrants Stranded in Africa After Third-Country Deportations
Latin American migrants deported by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement are stranded in West Africa, facing legal limbo in countries where they have no prior ties. Affected individuals describe feeling kidnapped and report total unfamiliarity with their new surroundings, such as a Colombian deportee who stated he had never heard of Liberia. Data indicates an expansion of third-country removals, impacting thousands of people including Cuban men separated from families waiting in places like Homestead.
Why it matters
Third-country deportations involve sending migrants to nations where they hold no citizenship or previous connections, creating profound human costs and legal uncertainties. Human rights advocates and affected families are raising questions about the systematic practice under recent administration policies. The situation leaves deportees stranded on the other side of the world without clear avenues for legal recourse or return.
What is confirmed
- Latin American migrants deported by ICE to West Africa describe being stranded on the other side of the world.
- A Colombian deported to Africa by the U.S. stated that he had never heard of Liberia.
- Trump has deported thousands of people in third-country removals.
- Data shows an expansion of third-country deportations where migrants are sent to places they have no ties to.
Still unconfirmed
- A Cuban man deported to Africa last year wants answers as his family waits in Homestead.
What to watch next
- Further official data releases regarding the scope and destination countries of third-country deportations
- Legal challenges or policy responses from civil rights organizations regarding the deportations to Africa
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (8)
- CBS News — Latin American migrants deported by ICE to West Africa describe being stranded "on the other side of the world"
- Yahoo — Colombian deported to Africa by U.S. says "I had never heard of Liberia"
- NPR — Policy: The Human Cost Of Third-Country Deportations : 1A
- American Civil Liberties Union — Trump Has Deported Thousands in Third Country Removals
- abcnews.com — 'I feel kidnapped': Latino immigrants say they're in legal limbo after being deported to country in Africa
- WPLG Local 10 — Cuban man deported to Africa last year wants answers as family waits in Homestead
- yahoo.com — 'A nightmare': Latino immigrants say they're in limbo after being deported to Africa
- KJZZ — Data shows expansion of third-country deportations; migrants are sent to places they have no ties to
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