Appeals Court Reinstates Third-Country Deportations as DHS Moves to Send Salvadoran Migrant to Liberia

Appeals Court Clears Path for Third-Country Deportations·March 11 – April 8, 2026

5 days ago

Appeals Court Reinstates Third-Country Deportations as DHS Moves to Send Salvadoran Migrant to Liberia

The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals lifted a block on a Trump administration policy that allows for the fast deportation of migrants to third countries. This ruling stays a lower court decision that had restricted these removals. The administration can now continue deporting migrants to countries other than their home nations while legal challenges move forward. The Department of Homeland Security is already testing this policy by seeking to deport a Salvadoran national to Liberia. This move comes despite a new deportation agreement with Costa Rica. The administration reaffirmed these plans during a federal court hearing, signaling its intent to use third-country removals as a primary enforcement tool.

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Key Statements

RReuters

“The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals stays a lower court ruling, reinstating a Trump administration policy for rapid deportation of migrants to third countries without safety screenings.”

Confirms the court's decision to allow deportations to proceed without safety screenings.

TThe Guardian

“DHS attorneys inform a federal judge of plans to deport a Salvadoran national to Liberia, testing third-country removal policies and a new deportation agreement with Costa Rica.”

Provides a specific example of how the administration is using the policy in practice.