By Elsie Kamsiyochi
The Central African Republic (CAR) has agreed to accept migrants deported from the United States who are not citizens of the Central African nation, according to sources familiar with the arrangement. The agreement marks the latest step in Washington’s growing effort to accelerate deportations by partnering with African countries willing to receive so-called “third-country deportees.”
The deal comes as the U.S. government seeks new destinations for migrants facing removal orders but who cannot easily be returned to their countries of origin. Similar agreements have already been reached with several African nations, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Equatorial Guinea.
According to a Central African government official who spoke on condition of anonymity, the agreement was discussed during a high-level meeting in Bangui on May 18 between Central African authorities and a U.S. delegation led by Christian Jové Ehrhardt, Deputy Assistant Secretary in the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration.
The official confirmed that the Central African Republic had agreed, within the framework of bilateral arrangements with Washington, to receive migrants deported by American authorities. A diplomat based in the region also confirmed that an agreement had been reached, although neither source provided details about the number of individuals expected to arrive or the timeline for the transfers.
The arrangement highlights a broader strategy by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump to expand deportation options beyond migrants’ countries of citizenship. Supporters argue that such agreements help enforce immigration laws and address longstanding challenges associated with deportations when countries refuse or delay accepting their nationals.
However, the policy has sparked criticism from immigration advocates and human rights organizations. Critics argue that third-country deportation agreements may undermine protections granted by U.S. immigration courts. In several documented cases, migrants facing deportation had previously secured legal protections against being returned to their home countries due to fears of persecution, conflict, or other dangers.
Rights groups contend that transferring migrants to unrelated third countries effectively bypasses those protections. U.S. authorities, however, maintain that the deportations comply with American law and that individuals subject to removal continue to receive due process.
The Central African Republic, one of the world’s poorest nations, has struggled with political instability, armed conflict, and humanitarian crises for decades. Since gaining independence from France in 1960, the country has experienced repeated bouts of unrest that have weakened institutions and hindered economic development.
Despite these challenges, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra has sought to strengthen his government’s international partnerships. After securing a third presidential term in elections held last year, Touadéra has continued to rely heavily on Russian security support while simultaneously exploring closer economic and diplomatic ties with Western countries, particularly in sectors linked to mining and critical minerals.
Questions remain about how the deportation arrangement will be implemented. Neither the Central African government nor diplomatic sources have disclosed the nationalities of the migrants expected to arrive, the number of deportees involved, or where they would be housed upon arrival.
Evidence suggests that U.S. authorities have already explored sending deportees to the Central African Republic. On May 22, U.S. District Judge Lee Rosenthal issued a temporary restraining order preventing the deportation of a Turkish national after court filings indicated that American officials intended to transfer the individual to CAR on May 26.
International organizations are also expected to play a role in the process. An official from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) confirmed that the agency would assist deportees arriving in the Central African Republic. The organization has already provided support for migrants transferred under similar arrangements elsewhere on the African continent, including in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The United States has allocated approximately $85 million to the IOM this year for operations in the Central African Republic, potentially providing resources that could support the management of incoming deportees. Neither the IOM nor U.S. State Department officials immediately provided detailed comments on the agreement.
The Department of Homeland Security reiterated that all individuals subject to deportation proceedings receive full legal due process. Questions regarding the specific terms of the agreement were referred to the State Department, which has not publicly disclosed details of the arrangement.
As Washington continues expanding its network of deportation partnerships across Africa, the agreement with the Central African Republic is likely to draw increased scrutiny from lawmakers, legal experts, and human rights organizations. The deal also raises broader questions about the future of U.S. immigration enforcement policies and the role that developing nations may play in accommodating deportees from around the world.
Source Reuters
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