In 2026, reports have emerged regarding third-country migrant deportations from the United States to African nations, primarily highlighted by journalists and NGOs. On April 18, a group of 15 individuals from South America arrived in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, after being deported from the US, with their destination revealed only a day prior to their departure.

Shelters along Mexico’s border are reporting record-low occupancy as fewer migrants travel toward the United States, according to Sowetan. The decline is linked to a crackdown under President Donald Trump and recent US policy changes that have deterred northbound journeys. The report describes emptied facilities and reduced demand for services, framing the shift as a response to enforcement measures rather than changes in underlying migration pressures.

A US appeals court has ruled that former President Donald Trump can continue with his fast-track deportation efforts, overturning an earlier decision that deemed the measures unconstitutional and a violation of due process rights. This ruling allows the administration to implement its deportation policies without the constraints imposed by the previous court ruling.

South Africa's Inter-Ministerial Committee has intensified its campaign against organised crime linked to migration, according to SABC News. The committee says more than 300 people have been arrested for violating the country's migration laws. The operation forms part of a broader government effort to clamp down on criminal networks exploiting migration systems, though further details on the arrests were not provided.

Two Nigerian men have been arrested in the United States over an alleged immigration bribery scheme, according to Tori.ng. Investigators reportedly uncovered a plan involving immigration applications and secret payments, leading to serious allegations against the pair. Details of the specific charges and the identities of those involved have not been disclosed in the report. The case highlights ongoing scrutiny of immigration-related fraud in the United States.

South African authorities have released figures on illegal immigration enforcement at the country's borders, detailing how many undocumented foreign nationals attempted to cross between April and July. According to The Citizen, between 14 June and 20 August, authorities processed 86,596 foreign nationals for deportation and repatriation. The figures highlight the scale of South Africa's ongoing border management and immigration enforcement operations, as the government continues efforts to process and return foreign nationals found to be in the country illegally.