Trump administration spends $410 million on deals to deport migrants abroad

The Trump administration has invested $410 million in agreements with foreign governments to deport migrants to countries other than their own, according to a joint investigation by The Washington Post and 26 media organizations from 15 countries. The investigation, part of the Deportation Project, examined the newly created Office of Remigration within the State Department, which has 15 employees headed by Christian Ehrhardt.

Since taking the post last year, Ehrhardt has traveled to various African and Latin American countries, attempting to persuade them to accept U.S. deportations even when migrants are not their citizens. The Post found that as of June, the administration had approved or pledged at least $410 million for agreements with 31 countries, mostly in Africa and Latin America.

Under these deals, migrants are sent to countries with no familial ties, including some with authoritarian governments. The administration claims this is the only way to deport dangerous criminals and those ineligible for protection due to human rights concerns. However, third-country nationals deported from the U.S. have reported inhumane conditions, such as beatings, denied food, and restricted communication with legal representatives.

Current and former officials attribute the push for these agreements to White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, known for his anti-immigration views. Despite rising costs and complications, the contracts offer little oversight of how funds are spent or how migrants are treated.