About 90% of migrants deported to El Salvador had no US criminal record. This startling statistic underscores a significant discrepancy between the rhetoric surrounding these deportations and the actual criminal histories of those involved. The claim that these individuals represent “the worst of the worst,” as some have suggested, simply doesn’t align with the available evidence.
The vast majority of these deportees – primarily Venezuelan migrants – faced no felony charges or convictions within the United States. Instead, a small fraction faced minor charges like misdemeanor assault or petty theft. A few were charged with more serious offenses like human smuggling, but the overwhelming majority had only committed traffic or immigration violations.… Continue reading
Following weeks of legal challenges and human rights concerns, Panama released dozens of migrants deported from the U.S., granting them a 30-day departure window with a possible 60-day extension. These individuals, hailing from diverse countries including Afghanistan, Russia, and China, faced dire conditions in a remote Panamanian camp, lacking access to legal counsel and adequate resources. Many expressed their inability to return home due to ongoing conflict or persecution, highlighting the precarious situation they now face. Despite the release, the migrants remain in legal limbo, with limited options and uncertain futures.
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A US military flight has reportedly begun deporting migrants to India, a development that has sparked a wave of diverse reactions and raised several important questions. The sheer cost of such an operation is immediately striking. One comment estimated the hourly operational cost of the aircraft at $28,000, suggesting a potential half-million-dollar expense for a round trip, even before factoring in other costs. With a reported 80 deportees on a single flight, the cost per person could easily reach $7,000, far exceeding a previously mentioned figure of $4,675 for a flight to Guatemala. This discrepancy highlights the potential complexities and unforeseen expenses associated with this type of deportation.… Continue reading
The US’s recent pause on planned tariffs and sanctions against Colombia following an agreement on migrant deportations has sparked a flurry of reactions, ranging from cautious optimism to outright outrage. The situation itself is relatively straightforward: the US, under its current administration, threatened Colombia with economic repercussions if it didn’t accept the return of its citizens who had been deported from the US. Colombia initially balked, citing concerns about the method of transport. The disagreement seemed to revolve around the use of military versus civilian aircraft for transporting the deported individuals.
This initial refusal led to the threatened tariffs and sanctions, creating a tense standoff.… Continue reading
Matt Underwood 
John Q. Hosedrinker