Skopje accepts Trump's request to repatriate Macedonian citizens from the US

2025-06-12 19:01:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Skopje accepts Trump's request to repatriate Macedonian citizens from the

The government of North Macedonia has accepted the request of the administration of US President Donald Trump to accept Macedonian citizens who are illegally residing in the US.

"Immediately after the Trump administration came to power, a request was sent for Macedonian citizens who are illegally staying in the US territory, if such a status is found. Considering that they are Macedonian citizens, the Government has accepted the request for their acceptance in case of deportation on this basis," the Macedonian Government's response to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty said.

However, the Macedonian Government has not confirmed that it is in talks with the US about the temporary shelter of third-country nationals.

"As the Government, we stand by the position we have already stated and the response refers to the information we have as institutions."

Unlike North Macedonia, Kosovo on June 11 approved a decision to temporarily house up to 50 citizens from third countries, as part of cooperation with the US.

On Thursday, a US State Department spokesperson told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty that the US is "grateful to our partner, Kosovo, for accepting third-country nationals deported from the United States."

In addition to North Macedonia, Montenegro has also denied having discussions with the US regarding the temporary resettlement of people from third countries. Meanwhile, Serbia has so far not confirmed that it will accept third-country nationals.

On June 6, the US State Department confirmed to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty that countries in the Balkan region have been included in contacts within a broader US strategy for the deportation of foreign nationals without regular status.

The State Department said that continued cooperation with foreign governments is key to preventing illegal and mass migration as well as to national security.

This statement by the State Department came a day after Reuters, citing Bloomberg News, reported that the Trump administration is pressuring Serbia and other Balkan countries to accept migrants deported from the United States.

Last month, the US Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to revoke temporary legal status for hundreds of thousands of migrants from Venezuela, Cuba, Haiti and Nicaragua living in the US, strengthening the Republican president's efforts to increase deportations.

According to Bloomberg, the Trump administration is looking at potential destinations for migrants who could be deported as a result of this decision./ Rel