Jeff Crisp questions IOM’s involvement in US third-country deportation programme

Migration expert Jeff Crisp has questioned the International Organization for Migration’s (IOM) decision to participate in the implementation of a United States programme involving the deportation of migrants to third countries.

Crisp also raised concerns over what he described as a racially based relocation programme targeting white South Africans.

In a post on X on November 2, Crisp said he was seeking clarification on IOM’s involvement in the two programmes.

“I am trying to understand IOM’s decision to be involved in the implementation of the US programme of 3rd country deportations and its racially-based relocation programme for white South Africans,” he wrote.

His comments were made in response to a post by IOM Director-General Amy Pope, who was discussing the importance of building public trust in migration governance.

In her post, Pope said trust in migration could not be established through facts and figures alone, stressing the need for transparency, public participation and accountability in institutional decision-making.

“Trust in migration isn’t built with facts and figures alone. It’s built when people understand decisions, can help shape them, and see that institutions follow through,” she wrote.

Pope added that the issues were central to discussions at the 2026 International Dialogue on Migration (#IDM2026), taking place in Geneva.

Crisp’s response raises questions about IOM’s role in implementing migration policies and deportation arrangements pursued by the US government.