The US and UK shift migration control to partner countries
The US sent Mexicans to Guatemala over Mexico's objections and began its third-country arrangement with Liberia, while London credits its France agreement for a steep drop in small-boat crossings.
Geopolitics··Evening
Mexican citizens are being returned through Guatemala
The US deported about 2,284 Mexican citizens to Guatemala as a third country during 2026. Mexico's foreign ministry said it had objected to the practice with US authorities and reiterated every citizen's right to enter Mexico. Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo says arrivals can be transferred to Mexican territory within 24 hours in coordination with Mexico's government. Honduras has also accepted Mexican nationals. Human-rights advocates describe the method as a pressure tactic intended to deter migration; the source presents that characterisation separately from the mechanics of the transfers.[1]
Liberia received the first group under a third-country arrangement
A group of 20 people deported from the US landed at Roberts International Airport near Monrovia on Thursday. The agreement with Liberia allows as many as 1,200 people to be sent to the country and is described as one of the largest third-country arrangements in the Trump administration's immigration policy. Liberia's government said the group would include nationals of African, North American, South American and Caribbean countries. Justice Minister Natu Oswald Tweh said most were held responsible for migration-related violations and could apply for asylum in Liberia if they wished.[2]
The Channel agreement moved enforcement to the French coast
The UK-France agreement reached in April allocates 501 million pounds over three years to operations in northern France and 161 million pounds to new methods. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood cited Home Office figures saying 61 per cent of small boats were intercepted during the three months after the deal took effect, a rise of 5 points from last year. The department also credits French police with stopping 185 attempted crossings involving 4,300 migrants this summer and 12 boats at sea. The Conservatives dispute the government's assessment, arguing that interceptions have halved over the past year. Crossings are down about 40 per cent from last year, though 250 people landed on Monday.[3]
