Democrats: Trump's third-country deportation deals waste millions

TL;DR

Senate Democrats released a report criticizing Trump's third-country deportation deals as costly and ineffective.
Over $32 million paid to five countries for about 300 deportees, some costing over $1 million each.
Deals yield little lasting impact since most deportees return home, raising oversight concerns with corrupt governments.[[1]](https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/democrats-say-trumps-foreign-deportation-deals-cost-taxpayers-millions-2026-02-13/)[[2]](https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/democrats-say-trumps-foreign-deportation-deals-cost-taxpayers-millions-2026-02-13)

The story at a glance

Senate Democrats on the Foreign Relations Committee, led by Jeanne Shaheen, issued a report on February 13, 2026, claiming President Trump's agreements to deport immigrants to third countries have cost taxpayers millions with minimal results. The deals involve payments to countries like Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, El Salvador, Eswatini, and Palau. This comes amid Trump's push for mass deportations following his 2024 reelection campaign promise.[[1]](https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/democrats-say-trumps-foreign-deportation-deals-cost-taxpayers-millions-2026-02-13/)

Key points

Report says total costs are unknown but at least $32 million sent directly to the five countries for roughly 300 third-country nationals as of January 2026, including 250 Venezuelans to El Salvador; most have returned or will return home.[[1]](https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/democrats-say-trumps-foreign-deportation-deals-cost-taxpayers-millions-2026-02-13/)
Some deportations exceed $1 million per person; example: Jamaican sent to Eswatini for over $181,000, then flown 7,000 miles back to Jamaica at U.S. expense despite court order for direct return.[[1]](https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/democrats-say-trumps-foreign-deportation-deals-cost-taxpayers-millions-2026-02-13/)
No evidence of State Department oversight on funds sent to governments with corruption or human rights issues.
White House defends policy as fulfilling Trump's mandate for the largest deportation of criminal illegal aliens, freeing resources and restoring safety.[[1]](https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/democrats-say-trumps-foreign-deportation-deals-cost-taxpayers-millions-2026-02-13/)
State Department pursuing deals with 70-80 more countries, per report.
Critics view third-country removals as a tactic to scare migrants into self-deportation.[[1]](https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/democrats-say-trumps-foreign-deportation-deals-cost-taxpayers-millions-2026-02-13/)

Details and context

The 30-page report, signed by Shaheen and seven other Democrats including Chris Coons and Chris Murphy, covers deals through January 31, 2026. It highlights how third-country deportations occur when migrants cannot return home, often due to legal barriers, but many end up back anyway after extra U.S.-funded flights. This contrasts with direct repatriations that Jamaica never opposed in the cited case.[[1]](https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/democrats-say-trumps-foreign-deportation-deals-cost-taxpayers-millions-2026-02-13/)

Trump's administration ramped up these after his 2024 win, tying into broader mass deportation goals, but has shared few details on arrangements. Secondary reports estimate overall costs "upward of $40 million," including $7.2 million on flights and housing, though Reuters sticks to confirmed $32 million direct payments.[[3]](http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/2026/02/13/Trump-Admin-Spent-40-Million-Deport-300-Immigrants-Third-Countries-Dem-Report)[[4]](https://abcnews.com/Politics/trump-administration-deportations-cost-taxpayers-upward-40m-report/story?id=130141416)

Key quotes

Senator Jeanne Shaheen: “This report outlines the troubling practice by the Trump Administration of deporting individuals to third countries — places where these people have no connection — at great expense to the American taxpayer and raises serious questions.”[[1]](https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/democrats-say-trumps-foreign-deportation-deals-cost-taxpayers-millions-2026-02-13/)

White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson: "The entire Trump Administration is working to lawfully deliver on President Trump’s mandate to enforce federal immigration law and carry out the largest mass deportation campaign of criminal illegal aliens in history."[[1]](https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/democrats-say-trumps-foreign-deportation-deals-cost-taxpayers-millions-2026-02-13/)

Why it matters

The report spotlights tensions over immigration enforcement costs and effectiveness amid Trump's mass deportation drive. Taxpayers face high per-person expenses for short-term placements that often reverse, with risks of funding unstable regimes without checks. Watch for more deals with 70-80 countries and any Republican response or administration data releases, though details remain limited.