The Trump administration is exploring the possibility of using ships to deport migrants to Central and South American countries, a plan that could involve lengthy sea voyages and substantial costs, according to U.S. officials familiar with the discussions. Among the vessels under consideration is the Training Ship Golden Bear, a 500-foot maritime academy vessel recently retired from service with the California State Polytechnic Maritime Academy. Defense officials have also contacted European companies regarding available ships.
While the proposal is still in the exploratory phase and no formal decisions have been made, it represents a potential expansion of the administration’s efforts to accelerate deportations by employing a variety of methods. These approaches have included using military aircraft to remove migrants, sending individuals to unfamiliar third countries, and temporarily detaining people at facilities such as Guantánamo Bay, Cuba.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which manages deportations, stated that it is assessing all available resources to optimize efficiency while maintaining fiscal responsibility. DHS spokesperson Markwayne Mullin emphasized the department’s commitment to fulfilling its mission to secure the homeland. The Defense Department declined to comment on the potential plan.
Experts and former officials have expressed concerns about the legal and operational challenges that would accompany maritime deportations. Claire Trickler-McNulty, a former senior Immigration and Customs Enforcement official during the Biden administration, described the concept as akin to “prison ships,” highlighting questions about jurisdiction, international maritime law, and the welfare of those detained aboard vessels for prolonged periods. She also noted that while the idea of deporting migrants by ship had been considered in the past by agency officials, it was never advanced due to logistical difficulties.
The proposed sea routes to countries such as El Salvador, Honduras, and Venezuela would entail several days of travel, requiring extensive security staffing and raising unresolved questions about living conditions for passengers during the journey. The financial burden is also significant, with estimates indicating that ship deportations could cost millions of dollars per trip, far exceeding the expense of deportation flights. Moreover, it remains unclear whether the destination countries would consent to receiving migrants transported in this manner.
The Golden Bear, which served for three decades as a training vessel for maritime cadets, recently concluded its service with Cal Poly, and the federal government’s authority to repurpose it or similar ships for deportations is uncertain.
The plan also evokes historical precedents, notably Operation Wetback in the 1950s, a large-scale campaign that forcibly deported hundreds of thousands of Mexican nationals, including some removals by sea. That operation ended amid controversy, including incidents of passengers jumping from ships and multiple drownings near the Mexican border city of Tampico. The campaign was ultimately shut down by Mexican authorities, citing poor weather and concerns over conditions and treatment aboard the vessels.
As the administration evaluates this maritime deportation concept, it faces a complex array of operational, legal, and diplomatic challenges that underscore the contentious nature of expanding deportation methods beyond air travel and land border enforcement.