Trump's deportation strategy could displace thousands of migrants to unfamiliar countries

The incoming Trump administration is reportedly preparing a list of countries to which it could deport migrants when their home nations refuse to accept them, according to sources familiar with the plans.

Countries under consideration include, but are not limited to, the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Bahamas, Panama, and Grenada, Caliber.Az reports, citing US media.

If implemented, the plans could result in the permanent displacement of thousands, potentially hundreds of thousands, of migrants to countries where they have no personal connections, speak no local languages, and lack cultural ties.

It remains unclear whether migrants would be allowed to stay legally in these countries or work there. The extent of diplomatic or economic pressure the Trump administration might apply to secure agreements with these nations is also unknown.

During his first term in office, Donald Trump authorized the deportation of migrants to Guatemala as part of a bilateral agreement. This allowed asylum seekers who had recently entered the United States to be flown to Guatemala without their knowledge of the destination. The practice, which continued into early 2020, was halted due to the pandemic.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and various pro-immigrant groups sued the Trump administration over the policy, arguing it was illegal and endangered asylum seekers. The lawsuit remains pending in federal court.

Migrants from countries like Venezuela, Cuba, and China, which are often unwilling to accept their nationals, have posed significant challenges for US immigration authorities. Federal court orders prevent the indefinite detention of such migrants, meaning many end up being released into the US, even when deportation orders are in place.

The new deportation plan aims to address this issue by re-routing migrants to third-party countries, which could serve as a workaround to the barriers posed by reluctant home nations. This initiative is part of Trump's broader promise to carry out "the largest deportation operation in American history."

In addition, the Trump administration reportedly seeks to increase pressure on Mexico to accept deportations of non-Mexican nationals. Mexico has already been accepting migrants turned back at the border, but the new plan would expand this to include migrants from within the U.S. The administration may use tariffs as leverage to compel Mexico's cooperation.

Sources also revealed that the Trump team is aiming to expedite deportations, with a goal of removing migrants within a week of their arrest. Karoline Leavitt, spokeswoman for the Trump-Vance transition team, reaffirmed the president-elect's commitment to curbing illegal immigration, securing borders, and deporting criminals.

Representatives from Panama, the Bahamas, Grenada, and Mexico have not commented on the plans, while Panama’s government, through spokeswoman Carmen Mora, emphasized that they would engage with the incoming administration once it assumes office.

By Aghakazim Guliyev