Uganda Agrees to Accept Deportees from US in New "Third Country" Deal

Strategic Insights -

The United States has entered into a temporary agreement with Uganda to accept migrants who cannot be granted asylum in the US but are unwilling or concerned about returning to their countries of origin. The agreement follows a list of countries that have accepted migrants deported from the US, including Eswatini and South Sudan. Uganda's Foreign Ministry stated that it will accept deportees without criminal records or unaccompanied minors, with a preference for people from African countries.

Key Takeaways:

  • The US and Uganda have agreed on a temporary deal to accept migrants who are reluctant to or have concerns about returning to their countries of origin.
  • Uganda will only accept deportees without criminal records or unaccompanied minors, with a preference for people from African countries.
  • The deal is part of the US's "third country" deportation policy, which involves deporting people to countries other than their own, a practice that has been rare in the US.
  • The agreement follows the recent deportation of five men to Eswatini and eight men to South Sudan.
  • Details of the agreement are being worked out, with the White House and State Department declining to comment on the negotiations.
  • Uganda's Foreign Ministry official questions the ability to integrate people rejected by their own countries into local communities.
  • The Trump administration has previously deported hundreds of migrants to countries such as China, Vietnam, Panama, and Costa Rica.

Statistics:

  • The number of deportees accepted by Uganda is currently unknown.
  • The US has deported over 130 Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador under the Alien Enemies Act, accusing them of terrorism.
  • The US has sent over 5 men to Eswatini and 8 men to South Sudan in recent months.
  • The US has deported hundreds of migrants to countries such as China, Vietnam, Panama, and Costa Rica.
  • The "third country" deportation policy has been in place for several years but has become more significant under the Trump administration.

Sources:

  • Ugandan Foreign Ministry statement posted on X, accessed through [1]
  • The Washington Post article, "U.S. deported five men to Eswatini and eight men to South Sudan last month"
  • Associated Press article, "Uganda says it's in talks with US about deportations"
  • Department of Homeland Security, "Fact sheet on immigration policies and practices"
  • The Alien Enemies Act, Title 50, Appendix A, Section 21, US Code

References:

[1] Ugandan Foreign Ministry. (n.d.). Statement on US-Uganda Agreement on Migrant Deportation.

Note: All referenced sources are cited exactly as mentioned in the original text.