Deported to a country you've never heard of

Today, Explained

Vox

Politics, Daily News, News

4.4 • 9.5K Ratings

🗓️ 7 January 2026

⏱️ 29 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

How the Trump administration is using "third country deportations" to expel asylum seekers. This episode was produced by Peter Balonon-Rosen, edited by Jolie Myers, fact checked by Andrea López-Cruzado, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Miles Bryan. Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at ⁠vox.com/today-explained-podcast.⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	We're nearly a year into Donald Trump's second term, and there's been a few surprises.
0:06.4	The guy who built a brand around being against regime change in foreign countries, taking over Venezuela and gunning for Greenland.
0:13.1	It's a bit surprising to me, got to admit.
0:15.4	Don't ask me.
0:16.5	Who's in charge?
0:17.4	Because I'll give you an answer, and it'll be very contrary.
0:20.0	What does that mean?
0:20.9	We're in charge because I'll give you an answer and it'll be very contrary. What does that mean? Yes, we're in charge.
0:24.7	But one thing Trump has been super clear about is his opposition to asylum.
0:29.2	He does not want asylum seekers coming to the U.S.
0:32.2	The ones that do come, he's deporting them.
0:34.6	Often to countries they aren't from, countries they've never even heard of.
0:37.8	Eswitini, South Sudan, Costa Rica.
0:40.8	We know nothing about this country.
0:42.3	We don't know language.
0:43.3	We don't know culture.
0:44.3	We don't have...
0:45.3	Third country deportations and the end of asylum as we knew it.
0:52.3	That's coming up on Today Explained from Vox.
0:59.7	Support for today's show comes from BetterHelp.
1:02.5	The new year doesn't require a new you, maybe just a less burdened you.
1:07.7	Therapy can help you get your head into the new year feeling lighter. Better help can help match you with someone who can help you. Therapy can help you get your head into the new year feeling lighter. BetterHelp can help
	...

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