US Deportation Flight Carrying Migrants Arrives in Central African Republic

A group of migrants deported from the United States, including an Iranian woman reportedly facing persecution in her home country, has arrived in the Central African Republic under a controversial third-country deportation arrangement.

The deportation flight landed in the capital, Bangui, on Friday after departing from Louisiana. Reports indicate that at least two dozen migrants were aboard, although the exact number has not been officially confirmed.

The Central African Republic is among several African nations that have entered agreements with the United States to accept migrants who are not citizens of those countries. The policy forms part of the Trump administration’s broader immigration crackdown.

According to immigration advocates and legal experts, the deportees include individuals from Iran, Jordan, Armenia, Turkey, Georgia and Afghanistan. Critics argue that such arrangements may expose vulnerable migrants and asylum seekers to additional risks while effectively removing them from the U.S. immigration system.

Sources familiar with the situation said some of the deportees are being temporarily housed at facilities near the U.S. Embassy compound in Bangui, while others are being accommodated at separate locations. Men and women were reportedly separated upon arrival.

Human rights groups have raised concerns about sending migrants to the Central African Republic, one of the world's poorest countries, which has struggled with years of conflict, insecurity and humanitarian challenges.

The Trump administration has defended its use of third-country deportations as part of efforts to enforce immigration laws and remove individuals who are no longer permitted to remain in the United States.

However, immigration lawyers contend that the policy can place asylum seekers in uncertain situations, especially when they are transferred to countries with which they have no personal or family ties.

The latest deportation flight is expected to intensify debate over U.S. immigration policy, refugee protections and the legality of third-country deportation agreements.

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