The Trump administration has continued a third-country deportation policy that removes non-citizens from the United States to nations other than their country of origin. The Guardian has published an explainer examining the scope of the programme and the categories of migrants it targets.

What is third-country deportation?

Third-country deportation refers to the removal of a migrant from the United States to a country that is not the migrant's country of citizenship. The practice diverges from traditional removals, which return individuals to their home countries under bilateral agreements or accepted diplomatic channels.

Why is the policy in use?

The policy addresses situations where the United States cannot or will not return a migrant to their country of origin. Drivers include:

• Home countries refusing to accept returnees
• Strained or severed diplomatic relations
• Logistical barriers to standard repatriation

By routing removals through third countries, the administration seeks to clear backlogs and remove individuals who might otherwise remain in U.S. custody or in the community.

Who does it target?

The policy applies to migrants with final removal orders. Categories include:

• Individuals whose asylum claims have been denied
• Those who have exhausted administrative appeals
• People subject to expedited removal under federal immigration authority

The categories are not limited to any single nationality.

What legal questions arise?

The policy raises several legal issues. Migrants facing third-country removal may have limited ability to raise asylum claims based on conditions in the destination country. Federal immigration law and treaty obligations require certain procedural protections, including notice of the destination and an opportunity to challenge removal on fear-of-persecution grounds.

The Guardian's explainer addresses these issues in detail and reviews ongoing federal court challenges to specific removals.

Where have deportees been sent?

The administration has negotiated arrangements with several governments to accept third-country deportees. Reporting has identified Central American and Caribbean nations among the destinations, though specific agreements and figures vary across bilateral deals.

What is the policy's place in the broader strategy?

Third-country deportation is one tool within a larger enforcement framework that includes expedited removal, expanded detention capacity, and cooperation with state and local authorities. Officials frame the approach as a way to restore credibility to removal orders.

What should affected individuals do?

Migrants facing removal and their legal representatives should:

• Consult qualified immigration counsel
• Monitor federal court filings on the policy
• Review the latest guidance from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the Executive Office for Immigration Review

The Guardian's article provides additional context on the policy, the legal landscape, and the categories of migrants subject to the practice.