Report Alleges U.S. Policies Fueling Human Rights Abuses in Latin America

Externalized migration policies under Trump administration accused of accelerating violations and eroding human dignity

Mar. 11, 2026 at 7:18pm

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A new report by the American Friends Service Committee and migrant advocacy groups claims that the 'externalization' of migration policies in Latin America, particularly under the Trump administration, is leading to increased human rights violations and the erosion of human dignity. The report cites interviews with over 350 migrants who experienced abuse, violence, and inhumane treatment during detention and deportation, often at the hands of U.S. authorities.

Why it matters

The report alleges that the U.S. is violating international human rights obligations through its hardline immigration policies that outsource border control to other countries in the region. This is said to be worsening the plight of migrants fleeing violence, economic instability, and the impacts of climate change in their home countries.

The details

The report defines 'externalized migration' as when a country shifts its border and migration control to other nations. This includes preventing migrants from reaching the U.S., shifting asylum procedures to third countries, and expelling individuals to nations not their countries of origin. The report cites over 2 million foreign nationals who have left the U.S. since 2025, some through forced deportation and others through 'self-deportation' due to fears of expulsion. Interviews with 364 migrants across Latin America detail experiences of violence, abuse, and inhumane treatment, often at the hands of U.S. authorities.

  • As of October 27, 2025, over 2 million foreign nationals had left the U.S., with 527,000 through forcible deportation and 1.6 million through 'self-deportation'.
  • The report's interviews were conducted between June and August 2025 across multiple countries in the region.

The players

American Friends Service Committee

A non-profit organization with a century-long history of working on behalf of migrants, who collaborated on the report.

Jesuit Service for Migrants in Costa Rica

A migrant advocacy organization that contributed to the report.

Refugees International

A Washington-based organization that also contributed to the report.

Marcia Aguiluz

The regional director for Latin America and the Caribbean at the American Friends Service Committee, who presented the report.

Jose

A 37-year-old Venezuelan migrant who described his experience of being transferred in shackles and beaten in detention.

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What’s next

The report's authors have called on states to end the externalization of migration, comply with existing international and human rights obligations, and increase funding to support both people on the move and migration systems 'centered on their rights and wellbeing'.

The takeaway

This report highlights the human cost of the U.S. government's hardline immigration policies, which are alleged to be fueling human rights abuses and eroding the dignity of migrants across Latin America. It underscores the need for a more humane and rights-based approach to migration that addresses the root causes driving people to flee their home countries.