The Trump administration is reportedly planning to deport migrants without legal status to Libya, a nation that has been embroiled in armed conflict for years. This information was confirmed by a U.S. official speaking to NPR, although they were not authorized to discuss the plans publicly. This announcement comes shortly after reports indicated that President Trump was considering not only Libya but also other African nations, including Benin, Angola, and Eswatini, as potential destinations for deportees.
Earlier this week, Rwanda's foreign minister also revealed that discussions were underway with Washington regarding similar deportation arrangements. It is important to note that all these countries have been criticized for their notorious human rights records, raising concerns about the treatment of deportees. The deportations to Libya are expected to be facilitated by the U.S. military, although a second official, who also requested anonymity, mentioned that flights to Libya have yet to commence.
The current plans involve the use of a single aircraft for these deportations, which will not be operating at full capacity. Since 2011, Libya has been in turmoil due to a civil war that has effectively split the country into two regions, each governed by competing factions. The eastern part is under the control of a military strongman, while the western region is managed by a government backed by the United Nations.
Libya has become a significant transit route for migrants from various parts of Africa seeking to reach Europe. Unfortunately, the treatment migrants have received from Libyan authorities has drawn widespread condemnation from human rights organizations. Notably, neither the U.N.-backed government in Libya nor the military authority in the east has responded to NPR's requests for comments on this situation.
As part of its ongoing crackdown on illegal immigration, the Trump administration is actively pursuing the deportation of migrants without legal status to third countries. Several Latin American nations, including El Salvador and Panama, have already accepted deportees. During a recent visit, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced that she signed new agreements with both El Salvador and Colombia. These agreements facilitate the sharing of biometric data to help identify individuals targeted for removal by the Department of Homeland Security.
Furthermore, a memo authorized by Secretary Noem in El Salvador permits the sharing of criminal records of fugitives. Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated last month that the U.S. administration is collaborating with various countries, expressing a desire to send “some of the most despicable human beings” far away from American borders to prevent their return.
