Latin American migrants deported by ICE to West Africa describe being stranded "on the other side of the world"

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1. 2h ago

   Latin American Migrants Deported to West Africa Describe Being Stranded

   Latin American and Caribbean migrants deported by Immigration and Customs Enforcement to West Africa report being stranded far from home in nations where they have no prior ties. Individuals removed to countries like Liberia describe feeling kidnapped, placed in legal limbo, and unfamiliar with their new surroundings. Data shows an expansion of third-country deportations under policy actions that send non-African nationals thousands of miles away to unfamiliar territories. Human rights groups and affected individuals are raising questions about the human cost and legal implications of these long-distance removals.

   Why it matters

   The United States has engaged in third-country deportations, transferring migrants to nations far from their countries of origin. These removals affect individuals from Latin American countries such as Brazil, Colombia, and Cuba. Displaced persons face extreme challenges upon arrival, including language barriers and a lack of local connections or resources.

   What is confirmed

   • Latin American migrants deported by ICE to West Africa describe being stranded on the other side of the world.
   • U.S. authorities are deporting non-African migrants to Liberia and other third countries under specific removal policies.
   • Data shows an expansion of third-country deportations sending migrants to places they have no ties to.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Migrants report being chained up the entire trip during deportation flights to Liberia.

   What to watch next

   • Further legal challenges regarding third-country deportations
   • Additional data releases on the scale of removals to West Africa
   Sources used for this update (14)

   1. CBS News — Latin American migrants deported by ICE to West Africa describe being stranded "on the other side of the world"
   2. EL PAÍS English — Deported from the US to Liberia: ‘They had us chained up the whole trip’
   3. Valor International — U.S. is deporting Brazilians to Africa and Central America
   4. Yahoo — Colombian deported to Africa by U.S. says "I had never heard of Liberia"
   5. 巴士的報 — US third-country deportations leave migrants far from home
   6. Yahoo — We spoke with immigrants deported to Liberia, thousands of miles from their homes
   7. SuaraGarut.ID — US Deports Non-African Migrants to Liberia Under Third-Country Policy
   8. NPR — Policy: The Human Cost Of Third-Country Deportations : 1A
   9. 1A | Speak Freely — The human cost of third-country deportations
   10. American Civil Liberties Union — Trump Has Deported Thousands in Third Country Removals
   11. abcnews.com — 'I feel kidnapped': Latino immigrants say they're in legal limbo after being deported to country in Africa
   12. WPLG Local 10 — Cuban man deported to Africa last year wants answers as family waits in Homestead
   confidence 90%