International News: Deported to a country they’ve never called home: The 8 top ICE destinations

By Zoila Palma:  The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been deporting thousands of people to their countries of origin, but an increasing number are being sent instead to third countries—nations where they are not citizens. The practice has raised concerns about deportees being left in unfamiliar countries where they may not speak the language or understand local customs.

Mexico has emerged as the largest destination for third-country deportations, with about 20,000 people without Mexican heritage reportedly sent there during the second Trump administration, according to Refugees International’s Third Country Deportation Watch. Mexican authorities reportedly give many third-country nationals only 10 days to remain, leaving asylum systems under significant pressure.

Other Central American countries have also become destinations. Guatemala has received several thousand deportees, including 2,284 Mexican nationals between April and August 2026, while approximately 360 non-Panamanians have been deported to Panama.

Costa Rica has received about 331 people, while approximately 250 non-Salvadorans have been sent to El Salvador since ICE transfers to that country began in July 2026.

Honduras has also received about 170 non-Honduran deportees under a transfer agreement with the United States. Officials have indicated that sending some Mexican nationals farther south could serve as a deterrent to irregular migration, while Mexico has objected to its citizens being deported to other countries.

The policy extends beyond Central America, with more than 130 people sent to Uzbekistan and over 100 people without Ghanaian heritage deported to Ghana, according to the Third Country Deportation Watch.

Human rights organizations have raised concerns about the treatment and legal protections of people transferred to countries where they have no established ties.

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