Thousands of Migrants Deported to Mexico Without Safety Checks

Thousands of Migrants Deported to Mexico Without Individualized Screening

Human Rights Watch has reported that the United States deported nearly 13,000 third-country nationals to Mexico between January 20, 2025, and March 9, 2026. This practice occurred without individualized screenings or safety assessments, even when individuals expressed fears of torture or serious harm. The removals included approximately 6,000 Cuban nationals sent to southern Mexico under a secretive, unwritten government agreement. Many of these migrants arrived in Mexico without money or identification, raising significant concerns about due process and their safety.

Scale of Removals

The report from Human Rights Watch details a large-scale operation involving the deportation of individuals who were not Mexican citizens. Over a period of roughly 14 months, the U.S. government sent close to 13,000 people to Mexico. This figure encompasses various nationalities, including Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans. The organization’s findings are based on interviews with 53 third-country nationals who were deported to Tapachula and Villahermosa in southern Mexico.

Lack of Due Process

A central finding of the report is that none of the interviewed individuals were given a meaningful opportunity to object to their removal to Mexico. This lack of a chance to challenge their transfer raises serious due process concerns under U.S. immigration law. The report highlights that U.S. authorities did not assess each person separately to determine if deportation to Mexico would expose them to danger. This practice is particularly concerning for migrants who had already informed U.S. officials of their fears of torture or serious harm.

Secret Agreement with Mexico

Human Rights Watch points to a Department of Justice habeas filing from March 2026, which referenced a “standing (unwritten) agreement” with Mexico. This filing also indicated that Immigration and Customs Enforcement had removed approximately 6,000 Cuban nationals to Mexico in the preceding year. This detail underscores the systematic nature of these deportations and suggests an established arrangement rather than isolated incidents. The report indicates that these removals were ongoing at the time of its publication.

Dangerous Conditions Upon Arrival

The deported migrants often arrived in Mexico with very few resources. Many had no identity documents, no cash, and had lost the personal belongings they possessed before their removal. This situation left them vulnerable in unfamiliar cities where they struggled to prove their identity, travel onward, or secure basic necessities. The report describes Tapachula and Villahermosa as common receiving points for individuals expelled by the United States, even though these individuals were not Mexican nationals.

Broader Implications

The policy of deporting third-country nationals to Mexico without individualized screening has significant implications for human rights and international law. By sending individuals to potentially dangerous situations without a proper review of their claims or risks, the U.S. government may be violating its obligations. The report emphasizes that the United States deported thousands of people to danger in Mexico while denying them an individualized review of the risks they stated they faced. This practice affects not only border management but also the fundamental rights and safety of vulnerable individuals.

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