A Senate Democrats' report highlights that US President Donald Trump's agreements for deporting immigrants to third countries have cost taxpayers over $32 million, with limited results. The study, released on February 13, 2026, details payments to five nations for accepting just 300 individuals as of January 2026. Most of those deported have since returned or plan to return to their home countries.
The 30-page report from Democrats on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee examines the financial and practical aspects of the Trump administration's third-country removal policies. It notes that while the total expense remains unclear, more than $32 million has been directed to Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, El Salvador, Eswatini, and Palau. These funds supported the relocation of approximately 300 third-country nationals by January 2026, including 250 Venezuelans to El Salvador. However, the report states that the majority of these individuals have already been sent back to their origins or are scheduled to do so.
One specific case involved a Jamaican national deported to Eswatini at a cost exceeding $181,000, despite a US court ruling for his return to Jamaica. He was later flown back to Jamaica, with the US covering those expenses as well. The Jamaican authorities had not opposed his repatriation, according to the document.
Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the leading Democrat on the committee, released the report, which was also endorsed by Senators Chris Coons, Chris Murphy, Tim Kaine, Chris Van Hollen, Cory Booker, Tammy Duckworth, and Jacky Rosen. Shaheen commented, “This report outlines the troubling practice by the Trump Administration of deporting individuals to third countries — places where these people have no connection — at great expense to the American taxpayer and raises serious questions.”
The White House has described the broader deportation initiative as a key promise from Trump's 2024 reelection campaign, stating it “is freeing up resources, revitalizing opportunity and restoring safety.” The report points out a lack of follow-up oversight by the State Department on these expenditures, even with governments noted for corruption and human rights issues. It also mentions ongoing pursuits of similar deals with 70 to 80 additional countries.
