Trump Expanding Third-Country Removals of Asylum Seekers in California

KQED's Forum

KQED

News, Politics, News Commentary

4.2 • 726 Ratings

🗓️ 19 December 2025

⏱️ 54 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

The current Trump administration has deported roughly 8,000 people to places most have never even visited, in a process known as third-country removal. Critics say this violates U.S. law, depriving people seeking asylum of their due process rights. We hear from a Russian whistleblower and asylum seeker who was en route to California when he was deported… to Costa Rica. Plus, we’ll hear from lawyers who are seeing the Trump administration expand third-country removals for asylum seekers within California. Guests: José "Caya" Cayasso, co-founder of the tech startup Slidebean; YouTuber and journalist who first reported German's story German, Russian whistleblower who was deported to Costa Rica after attempting to seek asylum in the United States Dr. Yael Schacher, immigration law historian and director for the Americas and Europe, Refugees International Nicole Gorney, immigration attorney, Vidas Legal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	If you had the smartest Wi-Fi, it'd be Xfinity.
0:05.1	It would boosts to the devices that needed them most,
0:08.4	and to protect you from threats at home and online.
0:11.7	Xfinity. Imagine that. Restrictions apply.
0:15.3	There's a reason we re-watch Home Alone every year.
0:18.7	Merry Christmas, you filthy animal.
0:20.8	It's because the best stories stay with you.
0:23.7	And Disney Plus is where you'll find your next great story.
0:27.6	Whether it's Fantastic Four First Steps.
0:30.2	We will protect you.
0:31.4	High power drama, All's Fair.
0:33.3	Tell us your story.
0:34.2	Or brand new Percy Jackson.
0:36.1	That is just the beginning.
0:37.6	A lifetime of great stories awaits on Disney Plus.
0:41.6	Now streaming 18 plus subscription required.
0:44.2	T's and C's Apply.
0:46.3	From KQED.
0:49.4	Welcome to Forum.
0:50.9	I'm Mina Kim.
0:52.2	When German and his family made it to the California-Mexico border
0:55.7	and requested political asylum from persecution in Russia, they were detained at Otay Mesa,
	...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from KQED, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of KQED and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.