US Spent $40 Million on 300 Deportations to Third Nations

Democratic report criticizes the costly and poorly monitored policy of deporting migrants to countries other than their own

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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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 as part of its efforts to quickly remove immigrants from the US. The report criticizes the practice of 'third country deportations' as 'costly, wasteful and poorly monitored'.

Why it matters

The report raises concerns about the Trump administration's use of third country deportations as part of its broader crackdown on illegal immigration. Critics argue the practice violates due process rights and can strand deportees in countries with poor human rights records. The report also questions the benefits received by the countries accepting the deportees and whether the policy is an effective use of taxpayer funds.

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 deportees. El Salvador received around 250 Venezuelan nationals, while the other nations received far fewer. The administration is negotiating agreements with 47 countries at various stages to accept deportees, with 15 concluded and 10 near completion. The report 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 February 2026.
  • The Trump administration expanded the practice of third country deportations over the last year to carry out the President's goals of quickly removing immigrants from the US.

The players

Jeanne Shaheen

A Democratic senator who led the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in compiling the report criticizing the Trump administration's use of third country deportations.

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.

Teodoro "Teddy" Nguema Obiang

The vice president of Equatorial Guinea, who is notorious among world leaders accused of corruption for his lavish lifestyle that has attracted the attention of prosecutors in several countries.

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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 that further congressional oversight and investigation into the Trump administration's use of third country deportations is likely to follow.

The takeaway

The report highlights the significant financial and human costs of the Trump administration's aggressive deportation policies, which have included the controversial practice of sending migrants to third countries rather than their countries of origin. Critics argue this policy violates due process and human rights, while also questioning its overall effectiveness and value to taxpayers.