Democrats look to investigate third-party deportations after midterms

Democrats are warning that the Trump administration’s secretive third-country deportation program could face a full congressional investigation if they retake power. Democrats are warning that the Trump administration’s secretive third-country deportation program could face a full congressional investigation if the party wins the majority in one or both chambers in November. The warnings follow two recent flashpoints: In Equatorial Guinea, police were filmed pointing guns at migrants deported from the US during a dispute at a hotel housing deportees. Separately, the administration deported an Afghan man to the Central African Republic despite a prior judicial protection order over fears his family could face Taliban retaliation. One of the man’s brothers served in the Afghan National Army while another was a US-trained pilot killed by the Taliban. “The Trump administration’s abuse of third-country deportation deals is abhorrent, and is a betrayal of due process and our obligations under US and international law,” said Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. He pledged to “continue to investigate this matter.” Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md.