The Central African Republic has agreed to take in migrants from other countries deported by the United States. Two sources familiar with the matter confirmed the deal. This is the latest instance of the U.S. government making arrangements with African countries to speed up deportations. Such agreements have previously involved countries including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Equatorial Guinea. Senate Democrats report these deals have cost tens of millions of dollars. Some deportees had already received legal protection against being sent back to their home countries from U.S. immigration courts. However, rights groups argue these third-country agreements allow the U.S. to bypass these protections.
The United States defends these deportations as lawful actions. A Central African government official told Reuters that discussions about the deal took place on May 18. U.S. and Central African Republic officials met in Bangui. Christian Jové Ehrhardt, the State Department's deputy assistant secretary for Population, Refugees, and Migration, led the U.S. delegation. The Central African Republic official stated the country will accept immigrants deported by American authorities as part of agreements with the U.S. A diplomat in the region also indicated that an agreement had been reached. Details about the number of migrants, their nationalities, or the start date of flights are not yet clear. One court document from May 22 shows U.S. officials planned to deport a Turkish national to the Central African Republic on May 26.
The Central African Republic has faced ongoing instability since gaining independence from France in 1960. Most of its 5.5 million people live in poverty. President Faustin-Archange Touadera, who began his third term in December, has sought security support from Russia. He has also shown interest in Western partnerships for critical minerals. These third-country deportee deals add another layer to the country's complex international relations. Ghana, for instance, has previously accepted deportees, with one minister stating the country did not request monetary support for doing so, contrasting with Eswatini's reported receipt of $5.1 million for accepting U.S. deportees. This trend highlights a pattern of U.S. policy focusing on externalizing immigration enforcement.
An official from the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) confirmed the agency will help deportees upon their arrival. The IOM has provided similar assistance in other African countries like Congo. The U.S. awarded $85 million to the IOM for its operations in the Central African Republic this year. While the IOM spokesperson and the U.S. State Department did not immediately comment, the Department of Homeland Security stated all deportees receive full legal process. The department directed specific questions about agreement details to the State Department. These agreements raise questions about due process and the human rights of individuals who may have valid claims for asylum or protection.
The unfolding situation in the Central African Republic will be closely watched. The involvement of the IOM suggests a structured, though potentially costly, process for managing these deportations. Decisions about the scale and sustainability of these deals will likely depend on evolving U.S. immigration policies and the capacity of the recipient African nations. The financial and humanitarian implications for the Central African Republic and the deportees themselves remain significant areas for further investigation.