On June 11 (local time), according to Reuters, the administration of US President Donald Trump is preparing to deport some Iranian citizens and other migrants to the Central African Republic (CAR), one of the poorest countries in the world.
According to sources, the group of Iranians expected to be deported includes at least 2 women who have applied for asylum in the US.
These two women arrived in the US in November 2024 and applied for asylum. According to lawyer Emily Trostle, the US immigration court once determined that they could be in danger if brought back to Iran, so it allowed them to temporarily stay in the US.
Reuters reported that the first flight under the agreement between the US and the Central African Republic is expected to carry about 20 people, including citizens of Iran, Syria and Afghanistan. Lawyers say the flight may depart as early as June 12.
A Turkish citizen is also entitled to protection status, which is said to be on the deportation list.
This is part of the policy of using deportation agreements to third countries that the Trump administration has recently promoted.
According to Reuters, Washington has signed a number of agreements with African countries to receive people that the US cannot or has difficulty bringing back to their homeland.
The US government affirms that these agreements are legal. However, many human rights organizations argue that the implementation process is not transparent and has not clarified the fate of those sent to third countries.
A source said that those deported to the Central African Republic will be temporarily arranged to stay in apartments in the capital Bangui and will not be repatriated immediately.
This source also said that hundreds of migrants could be brought to the Central African Republic in the near future if the program is fully implemented.
Meanwhile, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said that this agency will provide humanitarian assistance after migrants arrive in Bangui at the request of the Central African Republic government. Currently, the US State Department and the Central African Republic government have not made official comments on the above information.
