In January 2025, the Trump administration asked Ukraine to accept an “unspecified number” of people from other countries who had been deported from the United States.
A senior American diplomat delivered the proposal to Ukrainian officials. The Ukrainian government has not issued a public response. A diplomat in Kyiv told the US Embassy that a formal reply would come once officials formed an official position on the request.
The details were revealed in internal documents reviewed by The Washington Post. Two Ukrainian officials told the newspaper the issue had not reached top government levels, and one said there were no signs of political pressure from Washington. To date, Ukraine has not accepted any deportees from third countries.
The Washington Post described the request as “extraordinary,” given that Ukraine remains in an active war.
The Trump administration has already reached agreements with several countries – including El Salvador, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Panama – to accept deported migrants from other nations.
According to the report, the US used a mix of incentives and pressure, including monetary offers and trade threats, to secure cooperation.
The administration has pledged to deport up to one million undocumented migrants in its first year – more than twice the annual record of 400,000 set during President Barack Obama’s term.
Experts interviewed by The Washington Post say that target is likely unreachable due to limited funding and law enforcement resources.
In March, hundreds of Venezuelan migrants were deported to El Salvador after being labeled members of the Tren de Aragua gang. The action was carried out under the 1798 “Foreign Enemies Act,” a law that allows the president to deport individuals from enemy nations without a court hearing. It has been used only three times in US history.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed Wednesday, April 30, that the US is actively seeking more countries – beyond El Salvador – to accept foreign deportees.
Speaking during a Cabinet meeting, Rubio also said the administration plans to use foreign prisons to hold deported individuals, describing them as “some of the most despicable human beings.”
“Not just El Salvador,” Rubio said. “We are working with other countries to say, ‘We want to send you some of the most despicable human beings to your countries.’” He added: “The further away from America, the better.”