The Trump administration is reportedly on the lookout for additional third countries to send migrants, with Libya, Rwanda, and Kosovo among those mentioned as possible options. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported, based on sources familiar with the matter, that the U.S. intends to strike agreements with numerous countries to take in migrants deported from America. U.S. immigration officials have embarked on a quest for new countries that could receive migrants who are being considered for deportation, but whose home countries are slow in repatriating them. The potential agreements with these new countries are hoped to resemble the one reached with Panama in February, where over 100 migrants were flown to the country for deportation, leading Panama to take them into custody and start the process of sending them back to their nations.

Sources speaking to the WSJ revealed that U.S. officials are in contact with countries in Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe to facilitate the reception of deported migrants. The type of treatment deported migrants would receive depends on the countries they are sent to. Among the countries the U.S. has contacted for this purpose are Libya, Rwanda, Benin, Eswatini, Moldova, Mongolia, and Kosovo. The hope is that these countries will agree to accept the demands of the Trump administration, potentially in exchange for financial arrangements or political interests.

In April 2022, the United Kingdom announced under the controversial “Rwanda Plan” that migrants and those entering the country illegally to claim asylum would be sent to Rwanda. A Royal spokesperson confirmed the enactment of the Rwanda Plan by King Charles III’s approval in April 2024.

Furthermore, the U.S. administration reportedly expresses interest in signing long-term agreements with several Latin American countries. These agreements could designate the Latin American countries as “safe places” where migrants can seek asylum rather than in the U.S. An individual familiar with the matter revealed that officials are close to reaching such an agreement with Honduras and are also in negotiations with Costa Rica.

A spokesperson from the U.S. Department of State highlighted the critical importance for the national and public security of the full implementation of the U.S. immigration laws, including the successful execution of final deportation orders. The statement emphasized close collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security for the enforcement of Trump administration’s immigration policies.

In the pursuit of combating irregular migration, Trump previously invoked the Alien Enemies Act, a wartime measure, to expedite the deportation of migrants associated with a “foreign terrorist organization.” Individuals detained by the Trump administration on allegations of MS-13 and Tren de Aragua gang membership were sent to prisons in El Salvador. Despite a court ruling, the Trump administration admitted that a migrant was sent to an El Salvador prison due to an “administrative error.” The defense files provided to the court by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) acknowledged the deportation of 29-year-old Salvadoran migrant Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia to El Salvador on March 15 due to an oversight, although he was under protection from deportation. The files stated that while Garcia was transferred to a prison in El Salvador along with other alleged members of the Tren de Aragua gang, he cannot be brought back as he is currently detained in an El Salvador prison.