The United States has signed new deportation deals with Honduras and Uganda as part of its effort to tighten control on illegal immigration, according to documents seen by CBS and reported by the BBC.
Under the deal, Uganda has agreed to accept an unspecified number of African and Asian migrants who first claimed asylum at the US-Mexico border. Honduras will take in several hundred people from Spanish-speaking countries who are deported from the US.
The Terms and Conditions Set by Uganda and Honduras
These agreements are part of Donald Trump’s wider immigration plan, which aims to persuade more countries to accept deported migrants, even if those migrants are not their own citizens. Human rights groups have strongly criticised the policy, warning that many people may be sent to countries where they could face danger.
According to CBS, Uganda will accept only those migrants who do not have criminal records, though it remains unclear how many people it is prepared to take. Honduras, on the other hand, has committed to receiving migrants over two years, including families with children. Documents suggest it could even agree to take more in the future.
US Government Has Inked Same Agreements With Several Nations
The Trump administration has already struck similar deals with at least a dozen other countries. Just last week, the US State Department signed a “safe third country” agreement with Paraguay, saying it would help share the responsibility of dealing with illegal migration.
The White House has also been in talks with several African nations. Earlier this month, Rwanda announced it would take up to 250 migrants from the US. However, Rwanda said it would review and approve each person before accepting them. Critics note that Rwanda has a poor human rights record, raising concerns that migrants might be sent on to countries where they could be at risk.
Other recent agreements include Panama and Costa Rica, which both agreed to take in hundreds of African and Asian migrants. Reports also suggest that the Trump administration has approached Ecuador and Spain for similar arrangements.
Strict Regulations Regarding Migrants Since Donald Trump Began Second Term
Since beginning his second term, President Trump has made large-scale deportations a central part of his agenda, keeping with his election promise that gained strong support from voters.
In June, the US Supreme Court allowed Trump to restart deportations to third countries without requiring authorities to consider the risks migrants might face.
The United Nations and human rights organisations have also argued that sending people to countries other than their homeland may violate international law.
