U.S. considers first migrant deportation to Libya on military flight

The Trump administration is considering deporting migrants to Libya for the first time, signaling a shift in immigration policy.
Libya, a Mediterranean transit hub, is one of the distant nations the U.S. has approached for accepting third-country deportees.
U.S. officials revealed potential military-assisted deportation flights to Libya, though plans remain uncertain.

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump may begin deporting migrants to Libya for the first time this week, according to three U.S. officials, marking a dramatic escalation in its hardline immigration policies.

Libya, a key transit route for migrants attempting to reach Europe via the Mediterranean, is also one of several distant countries the U.S. has asked to accept deportees from third countries.

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Two of the officials revealed that the U.S. military could carry out deportation flights to the North African nation as early as Wednesday, although plans remain fluid and subject to change.

Since taking office, Trump has made immigration enforcement a cornerstone of his administration’s agenda. His policies have included surging troops to the U.S.-Mexico border, initiating mass deportations, and pushing for harsh deterrent measures to reduce migration.

Legal and human rights concerns

The latest deportation plans come despite the U.S. State Department’s criticism of Libya’s detention practices. In its most recent annual human rights report, the department cited Libya’s “harsh and life-threatening prison conditions” and widespread “arbitrary arrest or detention.”

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Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated last week that the administration was considering expanding its list of deportation destinations beyond El Salvador, citing dissatisfaction with the status quo. Libya is among the countries being evaluated, a fourth official confirmed.

It remains unclear whether Washington has secured an agreement with Libyan authorities to accept migrants, especially those of non-Libyan nationality.

Questions remain about the legal processes, or lack thereof, available to migrants slated for deportation to Libya, a country mired in political instability and conflict.