Secretary of State Marco Rubio Announces Deportation and Third-Country Acceptance Agreements for Illegal Immigrants and Non-Nationals with More Than 20 Countries
These allow the U.S. to remove certain non-citizens living illegally in the United States to countries other than their country of origin when direct repatriation is not feasible.
June 1, 2026
Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated yesterday on television that the United States has secured agreements with 20 countries around the world to accept people living illegally in the U.S. and deport them when returning them to their country of origin is not feasible.
Just after these remarks, made during a cabinet-related discussion, broader updates emerged regarding immigration enforcement.
Rubio explained: “One of the key things we’ve achieved is that 20 countries have now signed third-country agreements… We’ve gotten 20 countries around the world to sign agreements allowing us to deport people to those places.”
These arrangements — commonly known as “safe third country” or third-country removal agreements — allow the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to send non-citizens to countries other than their homeland when direct repatriation faces obstacles, such as refusal by the home country to accept them, documentation issues, or legal complications.
How the Strategy Works as a Pressure Tool
Rubio highlighted a practical effect of these agreements: they serve as leverage to encourage voluntary departures.
He stated: “What usually happens when you go to the person who is here illegally and tell them, ‘We’re going to send you to this third country,’ suddenly they decide they would rather return to their home country.”
This more aggressive enforcement strategy aligns with the Trump administration’s immigration objectives.
According to the approach currently being implemented by DHS, informing migrants that they may be removed to a distant third country often leads them to stop resisting and instead agree to deportation to their country of origin.
Immigration Priorities Under the Trump Administration
The announcement builds on the administration’s broader immigration priorities, which include accelerating removals of individuals with criminal records or final deportation orders.
El Salvador, under President Nayib Bukele, has emerged as a prominent partner by accepting deportees of multiple nationalities — including some foreign criminals — and housing them in detention facilities.
Public reports indicate that the U.S. has sought or secured agreements with more than 20 countries, with some sources suggesting the number could be as high as 27 by early 2026.
Countries mentioned in public reporting include partners in Africa and Latin America, although the full official list referenced by Rubio has not been publicly detailed.
Among the Hispanic nations known to cooperate in these operations are Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Ecuador, in addition to Rwanda, Sudan, and Uganda.
The Trump administration has actively pursued additional partners, emphasizing deterrence and stricter immigration enforcement.
Some agreements reportedly involve financial incentives or diplomatic arrangements, prompting criticism from congressional Democrats over costs and human rights concerns.
Legal and Operational Framework
U.S. immigration law (Section 241 of the Immigration and Nationality Act) authorizes deportation to a third country when removal to the designated country of origin is considered “impracticable, inadvisable, or impossible.”
These agreements expand deportation options beyond traditional repatriation, with the goal of reducing backlogs and avoiding delays.
Critics have raised concerns about conditions in receiving countries and due process protections, while supporters argue the policy is an essential enforcement tool that strengthens border security and public safety.
Rubio’s remarks underscore the administration’s ongoing diplomatic efforts to support DHS operations and fulfill campaign promises on immigration enforcement and border security.
The administration continues seeking additional agreements to expand its deportation capabilities.
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BOTTOMLINE
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the United States has secured third-country deportation (or “third-country national”) agreements with approximately 20 countries.
These allow the U.S. to remove certain non-citizens living illegally in the United States to countries other than their country of origin when direct repatriation is not feasible.
These are often called “safe third country” agreements or third-country removal arrangements.
Under U.S. immigration law (primarily Section 241 of the Immigration and Nationality Act), the government can remove someone to a third country if sending them to their home country is “impracticable, inadvisable, or impossible” (e.g., the home country refuses to accept them, lacks documentation, or legal barriers exist).
These third-country agreements represent an expansion of a longstanding but rarely used legal authority, now scaled up significantly as part of efforts to remove individuals who cannot or will not be returned directly home.
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Excellent idea! As a legal immigrant, I followed every requirement and rule the US embassy had in place to come, work, and live in this great nation. I risked my life just by walking inside the US embassy in communist Eastern Europe. I wouldn't come into your home illegally! I love and respect America, my home! I have worked hard from day one, never used taxpayer money, and live here happy and eternally grateful to the nation that opened its doors to Eastern Europeans back in the late '80s when the Berlin Wall came down in 1989! God bless America! 🇺🇸 my home🇺🇸 🙏