Key Takeaways
• Trump administration targets removing up to one million immigrants annually, over triple past deportation records.
• Mexico accepts non-Mexican migrants temporarily due to U.S. diplomatic gaps with countries like Venezuela.
• Expanded expedited removal allows deportations without hearings; daily ICE arrests quota is 1,875 nationwide.
Since President Trump took office in January 2025, the United States 🇺🇸 has seen a sharp increase in mass deportations, with a new focus on removing up to one million immigrants each year. This is more than three times the previous record. The administration’s approach has changed how deportations are handled, especially for people from countries like Venezuela 🇻🇪, Nicaragua, and Cuba, where the U.S. does not have strong diplomatic ties. One of the most controversial changes is the practice of sending non-Mexican migrants to Mexico 🇲🇽, even if they are not Mexican citizens. This has raised many legal and humanitarian concerns, and it is affecting thousands of people who now face uncertain futures.
Why Is the U.S. Deporting People to Countries They Are Not From?
The main reason for this new practice is that the United States 🇺🇸 cannot always send people directly back to their home countries. For example, the U.S. does not have diplomatic relations with Venezuela 🇻🇪, Nicaragua, or Cuba. This means there is no easy way to arrange flights or official returns for people from these countries. When a country refuses to accept its own citizens or when there is no official relationship, the U.S. looks for a third country that is willing to accept the deported individuals, at least for a short time.
Mexico 🇲🇽 has agreed to accept some of these migrants temporarily. In late January 2025, two busloads of Venezuelan nationals were sent from the U.S. border into Mexico 🇲🇽. Mexican officials then transported them to Mexico City. The idea is that Mexico 🇲🇽 will hold these individuals until they can be sent to their home country or another country willing to accept them. This arrangement is not new, but the scale and frequency have increased dramatically under the current administration.
How the New Deportation Process Works
The process for these mass deportations involves several steps:
- Apprehension: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or Customs and Border Protection (CBP) detain migrants at the border or inside the country.
- Screening: If a person cannot prove they have lived in the U.S. for at least two years, they are subject to “expedited removal.” This means they can be deported quickly, often without a court hearing.
- Country of Origin Check: If the U.S. cannot deport the person directly to their home country, it looks for a third country—most often Mexico 🇲🇽—that will accept them.
- Transfer: The migrant is sent to the third country. That country may then try to send the person to their home country if possible.
- Voluntary Departure Option: Migrants can use a new app called “CBP Home” to arrange voluntary departure. The U.S. government pays for flights for those who choose this option.
The Role of Mexico 🇲🇽 in Mass Deportations
Mexico 🇲🇽 has become a key partner in this process. In the first week after President Trump’s inauguration, Mexico 🇲🇽 received 4,094 deported migrants from the United States 🇺🇸. While most were Mexican citizens, some were from other countries, including Venezuela 🇻🇪. President Sheinbaum of Mexico 🇲🇽 confirmed that the country is accepting non-Mexican migrants because the United States 🇺🇸 cannot deport them directly to their home countries.
This cooperation is not without problems. Many migrants who are sent to Mexico 🇲🇽 have never lived there and have no family or support system. They may not speak Spanish or have any way to survive. Some end up stranded, unable to return home or re-enter the United States 🇺🇸. This situation puts them at risk of violence, homelessness, and other dangers.
Project Homecoming and the CBP Home App
On May 9, 2025, President Trump signed a proclamation creating “Project Homecoming.” This program gives undocumented immigrants the option to leave the United States 🇺🇸 voluntarily. They can use the new “CBP Home” app to arrange their departure, and the government will pay for their flight. The goal is to speed up removals and reduce the cost of detaining people.
For those who do not choose voluntary departure, the policy directs officials to remove them as quickly as possible, even if that means sending them to a country they are not from. The administration has also told officials to help people who do not have valid travel documents or who want to travel to any country willing to accept them.
You can find more information about voluntary departure and the CBP Home app on the official Department of Homeland Security website.
Expanded Expedited Removal
The Trump administration has expanded the use of “expedited removal” across the entire country. This means that any undocumented person caught anywhere in the United States 🇺🇸 who cannot prove they have lived in the country for at least two years can be deported immediately, without a hearing before an immigration judge. This change has made it much easier for ICE and CBP to remove people quickly.
ICE field offices now have a daily quota of 75 arrests per office, which adds up to 1,875 arrests nationwide each day. White House officials have said this is a minimum, not a maximum. In the week after the January 2025 inauguration, the Department of Homeland Security reported deporting 7,300 people, with ICE removing 2,373 from inside the country and arresting 5,537 migrants.
Legal and Humanitarian Concerns
These new practices have raised many legal and humanitarian questions. One of the biggest concerns is whether the United States 🇺🇸 is violating international law, especially the principle of “non-refoulement.” This rule, part of the U.N. Refugee Convention, says that countries cannot send people back to places where they may face persecution, torture, or other serious harm.
Advocacy groups and legal experts warn that sending migrants to third countries like Mexico 🇲🇽, where they may not be safe or have access to asylum procedures, could break these rules. There are also concerns about due process, as many people are being deported without a chance to see a judge or explain their situation.
Numerous legal challenges have been filed against these policies. Lawsuits argue that deporting people to countries they are not from, expanding expedited removal, and denying access to asylum are all against the law. Some executive orders are under court review, and the outcome of these cases could change how the policies are enforced.
Impact on Migrants
For migrants, these changes have real and often harsh effects. Many are being sent to countries where they have never lived, do not speak the language, and have no family or support. For example, Venezuelan nationals have been bused from the U.S. border into Mexico 🇲🇽, even though they are not Mexican citizens. Once in Mexico 🇲🇽, they may be held in shelters or left to fend for themselves while waiting to see if they can be sent to their home country.
Some migrants end up in legal limbo, stranded in Mexico 🇲🇽 or another third country. They cannot return to the United States 🇺🇸, and their home country may not accept them. This can leave them at risk of violence, homelessness, or being targeted by criminal groups. Many also lose access to asylum procedures, making it almost impossible to seek protection from harm.
Supporters and Critics: Different Views on Mass Deportations
Supporters of the new policies argue that mass deportations are necessary to restore order at the border, deter illegal immigration, and protect American jobs and resources. President Trump has said that these measures are needed to achieve “operational control” of the border and to enforce immigration laws.
Critics, on the other hand, warn that these practices could have serious legal, humanitarian, and diplomatic consequences. They point out that sending people to countries they are not from may violate international law and create populations of stateless or stranded individuals. Advocacy groups say that the policies put vulnerable people at risk and undermine the United States’ 🇺🇸 reputation as a country that protects refugees and asylum seekers.
The legal community is also divided. Some lawyers argue that the administration is acting within its authority to enforce immigration laws. Others say that the policies go too far and violate the rights of migrants, especially those seeking asylum or who have lived in the United States 🇺🇸 for many years.
Historical Context: How Did We Get Here?
In the past, deporting people to third countries was rare and usually required special agreements. Previous administrations only used this option in limited cases, and only when the third country agreed to accept the person. The Trump administration’s current approach is a big change, driven by diplomatic problems with countries like Venezuela 🇻🇪 and a desire to speed up removals.
The United States 🇺🇸 is also bound by international agreements, like the U.N. Refugee Convention, which says that countries cannot return people to places where they might be harmed. Critics argue that the current practices risk breaking these obligations, especially when migrants are sent to countries where they have no ties or support.
What Happens Next? Legal and Policy Uncertainty
The future of these policies is uncertain. Several executive orders are being challenged in court, and the results could force the administration to change or stop some practices. The United States 🇺🇸 may also try to make more agreements with third countries to help with removals, but there is no guarantee that other countries will agree to cooperate.
Depending on court decisions and possible action by Congress, the administration may have to adjust its approach. For now, the focus remains on maximizing removals by any means available, including the use of third countries and new technology like the CBP Home app.
Practical Guidance for Migrants and Families
If you or someone you know is affected by these changes, here are some important steps to consider:
- Know Your Rights: If you are detained, ask to speak with a lawyer. You have the right to legal representation, but the government does not have to provide a free lawyer.
- Document Your Residence: Keep records that show how long you have lived in the United States 🇺🇸. This can include bills, school records, or pay stubs.
- Seek Legal Help: Contact nonprofit organizations, legal aid groups, or the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) for advice and support.
- Stay Informed: Policies are changing quickly. Check official sources like the Department of Homeland Security for updates.
- Consider Voluntary Departure: If you are eligible, the CBP Home app may offer a way to leave the country with government assistance. Make sure you understand your rights and options before making any decisions.
Summary Table: Deportation to Third Countries
| Practice | Reason/Justification | Example (2025) | Legal/Policy Issues |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deporting to Mexico (non-Mexicans) | No diplomatic ties with home country; Mexico agrees to accept | Venezuelans bused to Mexico City | Potential violation of non-refoulement; legal challenges |
| Voluntary departure via CBP Home app | Expedite removals, reduce detention costs | Flights funded by U.S. government | Concerns about informed consent, due process |
Conclusion: A Controversial and Uncertain Future
The United States 🇺🇸 is deporting people to countries they are not from mainly because direct deportation to their home country is not possible. Mexico 🇲🇽 has agreed to accept some of these individuals temporarily, but this practice is controversial and faces legal challenges. Many migrants now face the risk of being stranded in a country where they have no ties, and advocacy groups warn that these actions may violate international law.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, the administration’s broader strategy is to maximize removals by any available means, including the use of third countries and new tools for voluntary departure. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing legal battles and possible changes ahead. For those affected, staying informed and seeking legal help is more important than ever.
For more official information and updates on immigration policy, visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website. If you need legal assistance, reach out to trusted organizations or your local bar association. The landscape is changing quickly, and knowing your rights can make a critical difference.
Learn Today
Mass Deportations → Large-scale removal of immigrants from the U.S., targeting up to one million annually under new policies.
Expedited Removal → A fast-track deportation process allowing removal without court hearings if immigrants lack two years’ residency proof.
Non-refoulement → International law principle prohibiting deportations to countries where individuals face persecution or serious harm.
CBP Home App → Government app enabling migrants to arrange voluntary departures with government-funded flights.
Third Country → A nation receiving deported migrants temporarily when direct return to their origin country is not possible.
This Article in a Nutshell
Since 2025, the U.S. sharply increased mass deportations, sending many migrants to Mexico temporarily due to diplomatic limits. Expanded expedited removal speeds deportations, raising legal and humanitarian concerns about deporting people to countries where they have no ties or protections.
— By VisaVerge.com
