In a dramatic escalation of its hardline immigration strategy, the Trump administration is preparing to deport migrants to Libya—a country mired in political chaos, armed conflict, and widespread human rights violations. Two U.S. officials, speaking anonymously to CBS News, confirmed that deportations could begin as early as this week, potentially carried out with the assistance of the U.S. military due to Libya’s unstable security situation.
This initiative represents a significant expansion of the administration’s policy of deporting migrants to third countries, often ones they have no direct connection to. While prior deportations have included the transfer of migrants from Asia and Africa to Latin American countries such as Panama, Costa Rica, and El Salvador, Libya marks a concerning shift due to its ongoing civil unrest and the systemic abuse of migrants within its borders.
Libya has been a fractured state since the 2011 civil war that toppled Muammar Gaddafi. It remains divided between a UN-backed government in Tripoli and a rival authority in the east led by General Khalifa Haftar. The U.S. State Department maintains a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory for Libya, citing the dangers of terrorism, kidnapping, unexploded landmines, and armed conflict. International organizations and rights groups have documented horrific conditions in Libyan migrant detention centers, including torture, overcrowding, and forced labor.
What makes the proposed deportations particularly controversial is the lack of clarity over who will be sent to Libya and whether they will face detention, or worse, upon arrival. The administration has not publicly outlined safeguards to ensure the safety or legal rights of these individuals, prompting concerns that the move may breach U.S. and international laws, including the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits returning individuals to countries where they face likely persecution or torture.
This deportation effort is part of a broader campaign by the Trump administration to discourage illegal immigration through international pressure and third-country agreements. In recent years, the U.S. has brokered such deals with several countries, mainly in Central America. Now, the scope is widening to include Africa and Eastern Europe. In addition to Libya, internal government records show that Angola, Benin, Eswatini, Moldova, and Rwanda have also been approached about receiving migrants deported from the United States. Some, like Angola, have already declined.
The decision to pursue deportations to Libya has triggered sharp criticism from immigration advocates and human rights organizations. Critics argue that sending individuals, many of whom may be fleeing violence, repression, or poverty, to a country as volatile as Libya is not only unethical but potentially illegal. Without clear legal frameworks or protections in place, these deportations could expose migrants to grave danger.
The administration has not publicly confirmed how many individuals might be affected or provided a timeline for implementation. Nevertheless, the plan underscores a significant policy shift: the willingness of the U.S. to outsource immigration enforcement to countries with deeply concerning human rights records in an effort to curb unauthorized migration.
The broader implications of this policy are far-reaching. Not only does it raise questions about America’s adherence to international humanitarian standards, but it also sets a precedent for future administrations and global immigration practices. As the world watches, legal experts, human rights groups, and foreign governments may soon be forced to respond—either through diplomatic pressure or legal challenges—to prevent what many see as a dangerous erosion of migrant protections.
Would you like this adapted into a 60-second news summary or infographic version?
