Marco Rubio faces backlash over recent deportation claims.
Immigration Expert Slams Marco Rubio Over 'Nonsense' 'Safe Country' Deportation Claims
During the Donald Trump administration’s 12th Cabinet meeting, Secretary of State Marco Rubio made a bold claim regarding U.S. deportation agreements with other countries.
He stated that the U.S. has negotiated with 20 countries that have agreed to allow them to deport migrants to a third country.
He assured that these countries were safe for the deported individuals. However, immigration expert Aaron Reichlin-Melnick challenged the assertion.
Reichlin-Melnick shared a report questioning the authenticity of Rubio's statement. The clarification divided the internet, as some backed the secretary of state, while others questioned his transparency.
Marco Rubio Claims 20 Countries Are Declared ‘Safe’ for Deported Migrants
Marco Rubio comments on U.S. deportation agreements.
On Wednesday, May 27, during a cabinet meeting, Rubio talked about efforts to secure American borders.
He explained that part of the administration's strategy is to deal with individuals who have entered the country unlawfully.
“Many of whom do not want to go back to the country that they originally came from,” Rubio remarked.
The secretary of state explained that there are a variety of reasons for this. “Either we can't send them there, or some judge ties it up,” Rubio said, adding, “And one of the key things we have achieved is now 20 countries have signed third-country national agreements. Meaning these are safe countries where individuals who refuse to go back to their country of origin can be sent to that country.”
The Secretary doubled down on his claim, stating that these nations have “signed agreements that allow us to deport people to those places.”
He clarified that unauthorized migrants could be sent to one of the 20 countries, giving the administration the ability to enforce immigration laws in tandem with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Aaron Reichlin-Melnick questions Marco Rubio's claims.
However, Reichlin-Melnick called him out on X, writing, “Note that Rubio claims these are 'safe countries,' which is total nonsense.”
He added, “Here's what one Congolese official told a group of asylum seekers from around the world who were dumped there by ICE,” while sharing an article by Reuters.
The Reuters report detailed that on April 17, a group of 16 migrants were deported from the U.S.
In the report, one of the deportees shared that they were granted a short-term seven-day visa to move freely in the country.
They were informed that they were welcome to apply for asylum in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, but alleged that local officials discouraged them by hinting that “Congo was dangerous.”
'It’s Legalized People Trafficking’
It did not take long for social media users to scrutinize Rubio, who criticized him for sharing what they viewed as misleading information.
One user wrote, “Great job now just need 20 countries that will actually take them back. Bonus points if one of them is ‘the moon.’”
Another user commented, “You -- the government -- brought them here, invited them and made us fund them. now you -- the government -- claim achievement by removing those very people and make us fund it again.”
An individual stated, “How many of those countries have slavery? What do you think happens to those people shoved out of planes with no money & not speaking the language? It’s legalized people trafficking.”
Meanwhile, one user wrote, “Cool, how do we get up to 20,000 a day? Save the country or get out of the way. We've had enough talk.”
Another user asked, “Why are other countries willing to take these people?”
Finally, an individual commented, “Now, if ICE would just send you some to deport. Those mass deportations we were promised have not yet materialized.”