The Trump administration is moving forward with a new third-country deportation agreement that could see migrants from several nations relocated to the Central African Republic, marking another step in the administration’s effort to address complex immigration cases involving individuals who cannot be readily returned to their countries of origin.
According to reports, the first flight under the arrangement could depart as early as Thursday and is expected to carry approximately 20 migrants. Among those reportedly scheduled for transport are individuals from Iran, Syria, Afghanistan, and at least one Turkish national.
The agreement reflects the administration’s growing reliance on third-country partnerships as a mechanism for carrying out removals when direct repatriation is not possible under existing circumstances. Federal authorities have previously pursued a similar arrangement with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, another nation in Central Africa.
Supporters of the policy argue that it provides a lawful avenue for enforcing immigration laws in cases where returning migrants to their home countries presents legal or practical obstacles. Critics, however, have raised concerns about the destinations selected and the conditions migrants may face after relocation.
The Central African Republic, commonly known as CAR, occupies a strategic position in Central Africa and shares borders with Chad, Sudan, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of the Congo, and Cameroon.
Since gaining independence from France in 1960, the country has experienced prolonged political instability. Reports note that the nation has endured six coups and persistent challenges involving weak state authority and armed insurgencies. Those conflicts have contributed to ongoing violence and concerns about potential atrocities against civilians.
The country is currently led by President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, who secured a third term in office during elections held in December. Touadéra has relied on Russian security assistance while simultaneously expressing interest in developing the country’s critical minerals sector through partnerships with Western nations.
Under the newly reported agreement, hundreds of migrants could eventually be sent to the Central African Republic. The prospect has already generated opposition from immigration attorneys representing some of the individuals affected.
Among those reportedly slated for the upcoming flight are two Iranian women who arrived in the United States in November 2024. According to their attorney, Emily Trostle, both women sought asylum after entering the country and later received protection from a U.S. immigration judge in the form of withholding of removal.
Trostle told reporters that the women face potential persecution if returned to Iran. She stated that one woman is a baptized religious convert while the other has been involved in pro-democracy activism.
According to the attorney, both women were detained after arriving in the United States and subsequently filed asylum applications. Their legal protections, she argued, should be considered in any future removal proceedings.
Reports indicate that the agreement between Washington and Bangui was finalized during a visit by a U.S. delegation to the Central African Republic’s capital in May.
At the time, few details were released regarding the full scope of the arrangement. Information concerning the eventual number of migrants involved, the complete list of nationalities, and the schedule for future flights has not been publicly disclosed.
Once relocated, deportees are expected to be housed in apartments in Bangui rather than being immediately sent back to their countries of origin.
The emerging policy highlights the administration’s determination to enforce immigration laws while also illustrating the increasingly complex challenges surrounding international migration, asylum claims, and the search for long-term solutions that avoid both unchecked border policies and the instability that often accompanies displacement and conflict abroad.
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