The caretaker government of Kosovo has announced that the selection of 50 individuals to be hosted in Kosovo following their deportation from the United States will be made in cooperation with U.S. authorities and based on national security and public order considerations.
This commitment follows a decision by Kosovo’s caretaker government, approved on June 11, to provide temporary protection to third-country nationals deported from U.S. territory.
One day earlier, the U.S. Supreme Court allowed the administration of President Donald Trump to immediately resume deportations of migrants to third countries — not necessarily their countries of origin — by temporarily lifting a court order that required migrants be allowed to contest their deportation.
Kosovo’s Ministry of Internal Affairs will review each individual case separately. The temporary protection status granted will last up to one year. During that time, authorities will assess conditions in the country of origin of these individuals and take steps for their potential voluntary return.
Under Kosovo’s legislation, those under temporary protection are entitled to basic living conditions, including housing, food, clothing, hygiene kits, and access to healthcare — such as emergency medical treatment and care for ongoing illnesses.
The migrants are expected to arrive via U.S. military flights, with some currently waiting at U.S. facilities such as airports in Arizona.
Kosovo has previous experience providing temporary shelter to foreign nationals, such as the 2021 hosting of Afghan citizens in coordination with NATO and the U.S., and the reception of Ukrainian journalists under the “Journalists in Residence” program.
According to the government, these examples demonstrate Kosovo’s institutional capacity and readiness to manage similar humanitarian processes.
The caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti reiterated Kosovo’s close cooperation with the United States and expressed gratitude for its continuous support, particularly regarding Kosovo’s Euro-Atlantic integration path.
The U.S. Department of State also welcomed Kosovo’s decision, calling it a positive gesture and expressing appreciation for the country’s willingness to assist.
