Latin American Migrants Deported Under Trump Policy Face Challenges in Returning Home

The Trump administration’s crackdown on migrants has led to the deportation of over half of 15 Latin American individuals to Congo in April. Most have since returned to their countries of origin. This information comes from the Congolese government and a lawyer representing one of the migrants.

U.S. immigration judges determined these individuals were likely to encounter persecution upon returning home. Congo is among at least eight African nations involved in third-country deportation agreements with the U.S.

These secret arrangements have resulted in thousands being deported to countries that are not their own, according to advocates. Immigration attorneys argue this approach functions as a loophole, effectively pushing asylum seekers back to their home countries indirectly.

Alma David, a U.S.-based lawyer, disclosed that eight deportees have recently returned to their home countries. Her client, a Colombian woman, remains in Congo despite expressing concerns during an interview with The Associated Press.

Another Colombian, Adriana Maria Quiroz Zapata, is still in Congo despite a judge’s order for her return to the U.S. She was deported to Congo although the country initially refused her due to inadequate medical care facilities. This week, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) helped four Peruvians and three Colombians return home.

Using the IOM’s Assisted Voluntary Return program, migrants consented to return home with travel costs and logistics covered. Although U.S. federal courts had granted protection from removal, the decision to return raises concerns that they might have felt trapped with no viable alternatives.

David stated, “The fact that they chose to return there anyway raises serious concerns that they likely felt backed into a corner because no viable alternative was presented to them.”

The IOM stresses that its assisted voluntary returns are strictly voluntary, based on free, prior, and informed consent.

Recently, a Colombian man independently traveled back to his home country.

According to a statement from the Congolese government, these developments highlight the temporary nature of the arrangement. Further departures are expected soon.

On the same day as the announcement, rights lawyers filed a case against Equatorial Guinea with Africa’s top human rights body. The case accuses the central African nation of violating rights by forcing deportees from the U.S. back to their home countries.

Associated Press writer Saleh Mwanamilongo in Bonn, Germany contributed to this report.