US Expands Safe-Third-Country Deportations With Uganda, Honduras

The United States has expanded its third-country deportation program, striking bilateral deals with Uganda and Honduras to accept migrants deported from the United States under a safe third-country framework. The move forms part of a broader White House effort to widen deportations to countries outside the United States, as officials signal that more arrangements could follow with nations across Africa and Latin America. In Uganda, officials have publicly disputed the existence of such an agreement, even as Washington maintains that talks were held and that deportations to third countries are part of a broader deterrence strategy.

Under the reported arrangements, Uganda would take in third-country nationals who originate from African nations and who are not criminals or unaccompanied minors, with the preference that those deported have ties to Africa. The exact number of people slated for transfer remains unclear, and officials described the arrangement as temporary. In Honduras, the government is said to have agreed to receive deportees from other Spanish-speaking countries in Latin America, including families traveling with children, with a relatively small initial...