Independent UN human rights experts have warned that the U.S. policy of sending migrants and asylum seekers to third countries is exposing people to torture, persecution and enforced disappearance.

At least 23,000 people have already been sent to 29 countries and territories, with agreements now covering 35, and the experts said more are being signed “every day”.

“The harms caused by this U.S. Government scheme are no longer hypothetical,” they said. “The arrangements are triggering a cascade of human rights violations.”

Many migrants are being transferred to places where they have no ties, and some of those countries are themselves gripped by conflict, displacement and poverty, with little capacity to protect new arrivals.

Children, women, people with disabilities, trafficking victims and LGBT people face the gravest risks, independent experts warn.

The experts also cautioned that pressure on migrants to return to their home countries cannot be considered voluntary when they are detained, penniless and without legal advice.

“States cannot contract out of their international legal obligations,” they said, calling on all governments involved to halt the arrangements immediately. “Human rights must be at the centre of migration governance, not sacrificed in the pursuit of deterrence.”

The UN Human Rights Council appoints the experts, who serve independently and receive no salary for their work.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has said that the country now has the most secure border in its history, noting that the U.S. had the worst and most dangerous border on earth before he took office.

Mr Trump said this in his address to world leaders at the General Debate at the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly on September 23.

“Two years ago, our country was dead, and now we have the hottest country anywhere in the world. Nobody comes in unless they’re invited. Unless they have permission,” stated the U.S. president. “In the past 16 months, zero illegal aliens have been admitted to the United States. And that’s done by some very sophisticated people.  It’s not done by the Trump administration.’’ 

(NAN)