The United States government is preparing to deport migrants from Iran, Syria, and Afghanistan to the Central African Republic (CAR) under a new third-country agreement, according to reports from Reuters. The policy aims to relocate individuals who cannot be legally returned to their countries of origin, with early flights potentially carrying up to 20 people to the capital city of Bangui.
Why is the U.S. using the Central African Republic for deportations?
The U.S. government is utilizing third-country deportation agreements to remove migrants who have exhausted legal options or face specific barriers to repatriation in their home countries, as reported by Reuters. While the U.S. State Department and the CAR government have not yet provided official comments, reports indicate that Bangui has agreed to accept these individuals. Human rights groups argue that the details of these agreements remain opaque, raising concerns about the long-term safety and eventual destination of those deported.
The two Iranian women mentioned by attorney Emily Trostle had previously been granted “withholding of removal” by U.S. immigration judges. This legal status is only granted when a judge determines there is a greater than 50 percent chance the individual will face persecution or torture if returned to their country of origin.
What are the risks for migrants sent to third countries?
Migrants relocated to the Central African Republic face significant uncertainty regarding their future. According to information obtained by Reuters, the initial plan involves housing these individuals in apartments within Bangui rather than immediate repatriation. However, critics of the policy note that the CAR is historically characterized by political instability, violence, and extreme poverty. Legal advocates, including Emily Trostle, emphasize that for some, including the two Iranian women currently in detention, the move to a third country does not mitigate the underlying threats to their safety that led them to seek asylum in the U.S. in the first place.
How does this compare to previous U.S. immigration policies?
This strategy represents a shift toward using third-party nations as staging grounds for individuals who are otherwise difficult to deport. Historically, U.S. immigration policy has focused on direct repatriation to a migrant’s country of citizenship. By contrast, this “third-country” approach treats nations with lower barriers to entry as transit points. While U.S. authorities maintain these agreements are legally sound, the practice deviates from standard asylum processing, where the focus is typically on the adjudication of claims within the U.S. or the safe return of individuals to their home territory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the U.S. legally deport someone to a country that is not their own?
Yes, the U.S. can enter into bilateral agreements with third countries to accept individuals who have been ordered removed from the U.S., provided the receiving country agrees to the terms of the arrangement.
What happens to migrants after they arrive in the Central African Republic?
According to reports, migrants are expected to be held in residential settings, such as apartments in Bangui, with the potential for hundreds to be processed through the country under the current agreement.
What does “withholding of removal” mean for a migrant?
It is a form of protection granted by an immigration judge after determining that an individual faces a high risk of persecution or torture in their home country. It prevents the government from sending them back to that specific country.
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