Supreme Court ruling on third-country deportations

The US Supreme Court cleared the Trump administration on 29 September 2026 to resume deporting irregular migrants to third countries. In a 6-3 order divided along ideological lines, the conservative majority temporarily suspended earlier lower-court rulings that had required authorities to provide advance notice and allow migrants to challenge their transfers. Three progressive justices dissented from the emergency order. The court agreed to hear the case on its merits in December 2026, when it will evaluate the legality of Department of Homeland Security guidelines adopted in 2025. Those departmental rules permit removals to third countries if the destination country provides assurances against torture and persecution that the US State Department deems credible, without an avenue for legal appeal.

Legal challenges and lower court injunctions

The emergency appeal reached the Supreme Court after Federal Judge Brian Murphy in Boston ruled the 2025 guidelines illegal in February. Judge Murphy determined that migrants facing deportation must have an opportunity to raise claims under the United Nations Convention Against Torture. A federal appeals court upheld Murphy's decision on 18 September 2026. In emergency filings to the high court, Solicitor General D. John Sauer argued that the lower-court rulings caused substantial logistical problems. Sauer stated that the injunction forced the Department of Homeland Security to cancel a scheduled flight carrying 70 foreign nationals with criminal convictions to three destination countries. Opponents of the policy urged the Supreme Court to leave the restrictions in place, arguing that the injunction did not halt deportations but merely required legal due process.

Majority6

Dissent3

Majority

6 justices

Dissent

3 justices

Data from the article text

Burundi joins deportation agreement

On 29 September 2026, Burundi announced that it agreed to accept foreign nationals deported from the United States under the policy. Nancy Ninette Mutoni, spokesperson for Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye, stated that the country will only accept individuals who face no accusations of crimes or links to terrorism. The official announcement provided no specific figures on arrivals, operational timelines, or financial terms. Mutoni explained that authorities in Bujumbura are preparing housing, food, and community integration plans for incoming deportees.

“Receiving them requires serious planning - where they will stay, what they will eat and how they will live alongside the local population.”

Mutoni added that Burundi intends to reinforce diplomatic relations while offering shelter to people in need. She also addressed the prospect of naturalization for individuals who settle in the country.

“If they choose to join Burundian citizens and make a valuable contribution to national development, the law will be respected.”

Scope of bilateral deportation programs

Burundi joins approximately half a dozen African nations participating in the deportation framework. Reporting by the Associated Press and Agence France-Presse indicates that the Trump administration has deported approximately 25,000 individuals to more than 20 countries under non-public agreements signed with 35 nations. The vast majority of these deportations have gone to Mexico, with other destinations including Liberia and Guyana. Federal budget allocations show at least $410 million committed to paying recipient governments and funding United Nations agencies involved in relocation logistics. Investigations conducted in early 2026 documented that Washington exerted diplomatic pressure on several African governments to accept deportees, using threats of trade tariffs, visa suspensions, and reductions in economic assistance. Migrant advocates note that many transferees lack criminal records, had previously won immigration court protections against repatriation, and face indefinite detention in countries where they have no personal ties.