The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued an official statement on Monday through its social media account, cautioning migrants attempting to cross the border illegally. The warning specifies that those caught will be deported to a country of the U.S. government's choosing, which may not necessarily be their country of origin.
"Illegal entry is not worth the RISK. If you cross the border unlawfully, you will be apprehended, processed, and removed. With the aid of the U.S. Department of War (DOW) and the American military, assisting in removal flights, DOW will send you to a country of our choice," the official CBP message declares.
The announcement includes a video illustrating the deportation process, beginning with the apprehension of a migrant.
Intensified Deterrent Tactics Under Trump Administration
The combination of forceful rhetoric and visuals of physical restraint highlights the deterrent strategy that the Trump administration has ramped up in recent months.
This warning aligns with the third-country deportation policy initiated by the Trump administration in January 2025. Under this policy, migrants can be sent to countries with which the U.S. has established reception agreements, such as El Salvador, the Dominican Republic, and South Sudan, regardless of the migrants' nationality.
Legal Controversies and Federal Court Rulings
In February 2026, a federal judge in Massachusetts ruled this practice illegal, stating it did not provide adequate notice or opportunity for migrants to contest their deportation destination.
Nonetheless, the Supreme Court has temporarily allowed the practice to continue while litigation is ongoing, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) formalized it with an internal guideline issued on March 30, 2026.
Expanded Deportation Infrastructure
The deportation infrastructure has seen substantial expansion. As of December 2025, the U.S. allocated $140 million for a fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft dedicated solely to removal flights. The 2026 budget designated approximately $75 billion to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and $65 billion to CBP.
Implications for Cuban Migrants
This policy holds significant implications for Cuban migrants. Cuba has historically been a challenging deportation destination, but the third-country scheme opens up the possibility for Cuban nationals to be sent to countries where they have no ties.
In February 2026, a flight arrived in Cuba with 170 deported Cubans, followed by another in March with 117 deportees.
The MAGA movement pushed in April 2026 for deporting at least one million undocumented migrants annually, demanding increased detention resources, which suggests a potential escalation of these operations in the coming months.
Understanding U.S. Migration and Deportation Policies
What is the U.S. third-country deportation policy?
This policy allows the U.S. to deport migrants to third countries with which it has agreements, regardless of the migrants' nationality.
How has the deportation infrastructure been expanded?
The U.S. has invested significantly in a fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft for removal flights and increased funding for ICE and CBP.
What are the legal challenges to this deportation policy?
A federal judge ruled the policy illegal for not providing adequate notice or opportunity to object, but the Supreme Court has allowed it to continue temporarily.