Monday, August 18, 2025
Washington, D.C. The United States government has announced new bilateral agreements with Honduras and Uganda to facilitate the deportation and repatriation of migrants, a move that has sparked mixed reactions from human rights groups and migration advocates.
The deals, confirmed on Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), are part of Washington's broader efforts to address irregular migration and strengthen border enforcement. Under the agreements, Honduras and Uganda will accept the return of their nationals as well as certain third-country migrants who transited through their territories before attempting to reach the U.S.
The United States has faced growing political and humanitarian challenges at its southern border, with record numbers of migrants and asylum seekers arriving in recent years. The Biden administration has pledged to implement what it calls "humane but firm" immigration policies, combining stricter enforcement with expanded legal pathways.
Officials argue that the new repatriation deals will help deter irregular migration while promoting legal migration channels. "These agreements will strengthen our ability to manage migration in an orderly way and ensure the safe return of individuals who have no legal basis to remain in the United States," said a DHS spokesperson.
However, rights organizations and NGOs have expressed concern about the implications of the agreements, particularly with Uganda's inclusion. They warn that migrants sent back to unstable or high-risk environments may face persecution, violence, or inadequate protection.
"Deportation agreements should never compromise human rights obligations," said one international advocacy group. "Both Honduras and Uganda struggle with governance and protection challenges, raising serious concerns about the safety of returnees."
In Honduras, high levels of gang violence and poverty continue to drive outward migration, while Uganda hosts one of the largest refugee populations in Africa and faces its own internal political tensions.
Migration experts note that the agreements reflect Washington's growing reliance on international partnerships to address migration pressures. Similar arrangements have been made in recent years with countries such as Mexico, Guatemala, and Rwanda.
The African Union and regional human rights groups have yet to issue official statements, but observers say the deal with Uganda could set a precedent for future U.S. partnerships with African states on migration management.
As deportations under the new framework begin, aid groups stress the importance of monitoring conditions faced by returnees and ensuring access to support services. They warn that without adequate reintegration programs, deported migrants risk falling into cycles of poverty, displacement, and renewed migration attempts.
Olagunju B.F
Source: Africanews.com
#Afrocuden
