Full Breakdown
U.S. Third-Country Deportations Reach Guyana Amid Expanding Trump-Era Policy
9/8/2026, 8:13:21 AM
Arrival of Cuban and Afghan Deportees in Guyana
Guyana’s government announced that six nationals—four from Cuba and two from Afghanistan—arrived on Saturday after being removed from the United States under the Trump administration’s third-country deportation program. Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud said the individuals were vetted, had no criminal background, and were sent because of immigration violations. The arrangement, lasting one year, does not constitute permanent resettlement; deportees will stay in Guyana under the United Nations International Organization for Migration’s Assisted Voluntary Return Programme while their U.S. cases are resolved. Persaud added that the United States has not made further requests for additional deportees.
Background of the Third-Country Deportation Initiative
After returning to office, the administration expanded third-country deportations—sending detainees to nations other than their country of origin. By the time of the Guyana arrivals, the administration had struck more than 30 agreements with foreign governments, including 15 in the Americas, according to Amnesty International. Some deals involve multimillion-dollar payments, and officials note that countries such as Cuba refuse to accept deportees directly from the United States.
Data and Scope of the Program
- Agreements: Over 30 bilateral deals; 15 involve Caribbean or Latin American states.
- Recent Arrivals: Six deportees (four Cuban, two Afghan) delivered to Guyana; other Caribbean nations slated to receive small groups include St. Kitts and Nevis, Belize, and St. Lucia.
- Detention Profile: The Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC) at Syracuse University estimates that 70.6 % of foreign nationals in U.S. immigration detention have no criminal conviction.
- Program Duration: The Guyana agreement is limited to one year, with no permanent housing or support obligations placed on the host government.
Official Statements & Responses
- Robert Persaud: Confirmed the arrival, emphasized the lack of criminal records, and noted no further U.S. requests.
- U.S. Administration: Argues that third-country deportations address situations where destination countries decline to receive their own nationals, relieving pressure on U.S. detention facilities.
- United Nations IOM: Implements the Assisted Voluntary Return Programme, providing basic resources while deportees await U.S. immigration outcomes.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact number of bilateral agreements: one account cites “more than 30” deals, another references “30 countries.” Both figures appear in official statements, and the discrepancy remains unresolved. While officials assert deportees lack criminal histories, comprehensive public data on individual case backgrounds have not been released.
Why It Matters
The third-country deportation model shifts responsibility for non-citizen removals to third-party states. For receiving nations like Guyana, the influx of individuals with limited local ties creates humanitarian and logistical challenges, especially when host governments bear no cost for housing or support. The practice also raises questions about U.S. adherence to international refugee and human-rights standards when deportees are sent to countries facing poverty or instability.
What’s Next
The Guyana agreement will remain active for one year, after which both governments may negotiate renewal or termination. Persaud indicated no additional U.S. requests have been made, so future arrivals will depend on new bilateral negotiations. Monitoring by the IOM and human-rights organizations will likely continue to assess deportee treatment and host-society impact.
