(WASHINGTON) — The Trump administration has urged the presidents of five African countries to accept immigrants deported from the United States, even if they are from third countries, according to two officials who told Reuters.
The plan was presented to the presidents of Liberia, Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania and Gabon during a meeting at the White House on Wednesday. However, it is not yet clear whether any of the countries have agreed to the proposal.
Since taking office, Trump has pushed for an acceleration of deportations, including sending them to third countries when there are problems returning them to their home countries. In particular, eight immigrants were recently sent to South Sudan.
In a public address, Trump told the five African leaders that he was shifting the US approach from aid to a focus on trade. The meeting was also attended by Stephen Miller, a tough immigration official.
