WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. lawmakers are questioning a $7.5 million payment made by the Trump administration to the government of Equatorial Guinea as part of efforts to deport migrants to the West African nation.
The payment, disclosed in a letter by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, was described as “highly unusual” and directed to “one of the most corrupt governments in the world.” Shaheen argued the transfer raises serious concerns about transparency and the responsible use of taxpayer dollars.
Payment Details
- The $7.5 million came from a migration and refugee assistance fund, which was originally established by Congress to respond to humanitarian crises.
- According to Shaheen, the sum far exceeds the total U.S. foreign assistance provided to Equatorial Guinea over the past eight years combined.
- This marks the first government-to-government transfer from the account.
Shaheen questioned whether the payment was a permissible use of the fund, noting its departure from traditional humanitarian purposes.
State Department Response
The State Department declined to comment on the specifics of diplomatic communications but reaffirmed its commitment to implementing Trump’s immigration policies. “We remain unwavering in our commitment to end illegal and mass immigration and bolster America’s border security,” the department said in a statement.
Wider Implications
The payment comes as the Trump administration seeks agreements with African nations to accept deportees, including migrants who are not their citizens. Immigration advocacy groups have criticized the so-called “third country” policy, arguing it violates due process rights and risks stranding deportees in countries with histories of corruption and human rights abuses.
The move has raised broader questions about how U.S. deportation policies intersect with foreign relations and the international leaders Washington is willing to engage with.