A Vietnamese national who was deported to South Sudan under a U.S. third-country deportation program has returned to Vietnam after spending more than a year in detention, according to officials from Vietnam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The individual, 44-year-old Tuan Phan, departed South Sudan on Friday following arrangements between the governments involved.
Phan arrived in South Sudan in July 2025 as part of a group of more than 180 people relocated through the program. According to reports, those transferred were housed in a secured compound under guard while authorities worked to determine long-term solutions for their cases.
South Sudanese officials stated that Phan remained in good health throughout his stay and cooperated with authorities during his detention.
Advocacy groups argue that limited public information has been released regarding agreements between the United States and receiving countries, making it difficult to independently assess how deportees are being treated.
Phan's return follows the earlier repatriation of another deportee who was sent back to Mexico.
Individuals from several other countries, including Cuba, Myanmar, and Laos, reportedly remain affected by the program, with their future status still unresolved.
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Vietnamese man deported to South Sudan by US leaves for home https://t.co/rcIB6RiGto https://t.co/rcIB6RiGto
— Reuters (@Reuters) June 19, 2026
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