Report Finds US Spent $40M on 300 Deportations to Third Nations

Democratic report criticizes Trump administration's costly and poorly monitored policy of deporting migrants to countries other than their own

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A report compiled by the Democratic staff of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee found that the Trump administration spent at least $40 million to deport roughly 300 migrants to countries other than their own, a practice the report criticizes as 'costly, wasteful and poorly monitored'.

Why it matters

The report raises concerns about the Trump administration's use of 'third country' deportations, which immigration advocates have criticized as a violation of due process that can strand deportees in countries with poor human rights records. The report also questions the benefits and motivations behind the agreements made with the receiving countries.

The details

The report found lump sum payments ranging from $4.7 million to $7.5 million made to five countries - Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, El Salvador, Eswatini and Palau - to accept the deportees. It details instances of migrants being deported to a third country, only for the US to later pay for another flight to return them to their home country.

  • The report was compiled by the Democratic staff of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in 2026.
  • The Trump administration expanded the practice of third country deportations over the last year.

The players

Jeanne Shaheen

A Democratic senator who led the compilation of the report and criticized the 'third country' deportation policy as 'costly, wasteful and poorly monitored'.

Marco Rubio

The Secretary of State who defended the practice of third country deportations as part of the Trump administration's campaign to end illegal immigration.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We've arrested people that are members of gangs and we've deported them. We don't want gang members in our country.”

— Marco Rubio, Secretary of State (Senate hearing)

“In many cases, migrants could have been returned directly to their countries of origin, avoiding unnecessary flights and additional costs.”

— Jeanne Shaheen, Democratic Senator (Statement)

What’s next

The report calls for 'serious scrutiny of a policy that now operates largely in the dark', suggesting further congressional oversight and investigation into the Trump administration's use of third country deportations.

The takeaway

The report highlights the significant costs and questionable practices behind the Trump administration's expansion of 'third country' deportations, which critics say violate due process and can endanger migrants by sending them to countries with poor human rights records.