The current administration intends to send several Iranian nationals and other migrants to Central African Republic, a nation struggling with ongoing instability, violence, and widespread poverty, according to two attorneys and an official with knowledge of the situation who spoke to Reuters.
Among those facing deportation are two Iranian women who could face torture and persecution if sent back to Iran, according to their attorney, Emily Trostle. She explained that one woman converted to Christianity while the other is an advocate for democratic reform.
Neither the U.S. State Department nor the Central African Republic’s presidential office, which recently signed an agreement to accept third-country deportees from the United States, provided immediate responses when asked for comment.
Trostle stated that both women were taken into custody when they arrived in the United States in November 2024. She noted that they had filed asylum claims and obtained withholding of removal protection from a U.S. immigration judge.
The informed official told Reuters that the initial flight to Central African Republic under this arrangement would transport approximately 20 individuals, including people from Syria and Afghanistan. The attorneys indicated the aircraft could depart as soon as Thursday.
An additional source with knowledge of the arrangements mentioned that one person from Turkey was also scheduled for deportation.
The current administration has utilized third-country deportation agreements, including one with Central African Republic’s neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo, which is currently dealing with an Ebola outbreak, to remove individuals who cannot legally be returned to their home countries.
Washington has maintained these agreements are legal, though advocacy organizations and rights groups have criticized the lack of transparency in the deals and noted that many deportees are eventually sent back to their countries of origin.
The United States and Israel conducted extensive military strikes against Iran in late February, beginning what is now a three-month conflict.
In April, U.S. President Donald Trump stated to reporters that he believed Iranian citizens should revolt against their government if a ceasefire was reached, but acknowledged it would be too dangerous for them to attempt.
According to the briefed official, those deported will be housed in residential facilities in Bangui, the capital of Central African Republic, and are not expected to be immediately returned to their home countries.
The official added that the agreement could ultimately result in hundreds of migrants being sent to the country.
The New York Times first reported the Iranian deportation plan earlier on Thursday.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced last week that all individuals facing deportation would receive complete due process protections.
A representative from the International Organization for Migration stated the organization would “provide post-arrival humanitarian assistance” to migrants sent to Bangui, following a request from the Central African government.
The representative emphasized that the IOM was not participating in the removal process and would offer aid “on a strictly voluntary basis and respecting applicable international standards.”
This year, the United States provided $85 million to the IOM for its operations in Central African Republic.
The nation has experienced continuous periods of conflict since gaining independence from France in 1960, resulting in widespread poverty affecting most of its 5.5 million residents.
Rwanda sent military forces five years ago to prevent rebel groups from disrupting elections and continues to maintain troops in the country. President Faustin-Archange Touadera has signed peace agreements this year with multiple rebel organizations, leading to decreased violence in certain areas.
