Full Breakdown
U.S. “Third-Country” Deportations Reach Central African Republic, Including Protected Afghan Asylum Seeker
9/2/2026, 12:53:07 AM
Core Event: Deportation Flight to Bangui
On a Saturday in August 2026, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) flight landed in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic (CAR), delivering dozens of migrants. The manifest listed 12 Afghan nationals, 8 Iranians, and migrants from Nepal and Nicaragua. Among the Afghans was a man in his early twenties who had previously received “withholding of removal” protection because of credible Taliban threats. His lawyer, Alma David, confirmed the deportation despite the court order.
Background & Context
Since President Donald Trump took office in January 2025, his administration has pursued an aggressive “third-country” deportation strategy, transferring migrants to nations with which they have no prior ties. Human Rights First’s policy director Savi Arvey notes that the program has already deported thousands of people to about two dozen countries. Internal U.S. documents obtained by CBS News show that over a 10-day period the administration sent more than 100 deportees to eight African nations, including Burundi, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Eswatini, Liberia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, and the CAR.
Timeline
- June 2026 – First U.S. deportation flight to the CAR.
- August 2026 – Second (per NPR, Al Jazeera, Independent) and third (per CBS News, Human Rights First) flights to the CAR, each with similar passenger mixes.
- August 29 2026 – A poll cited by KabulNow shows 72 % of Americans support admitting Afghan allies who assisted U.S. forces.
Official Statements & Responses
- The U.S. State Department’s travel advisory warns Americans to avoid the CAR because of unrest, crime, kidnapping, health threats, and terrorism.
- Human Rights First’s Savi Arvey confirmed the passenger numbers and described the flight as part of the broader immigration crackdown.
- When asked for comment, the Departments of Homeland Security and State replied, “The choice is theirs,” indicating no official stance on the specific deportations.
On-the-Ground Reports
Local observers note that the CAR remains one of the world’s most insecure environments, with ongoing armed conflict and the presence of Russian mercenaries. The arrival of deportees, many with no ties to the region, raises humanitarian concerns about their protection and possible detention.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact count of flights to the CAR this year: NPR and Al Jazeera describe the August flight as the second since June, while CBS News and Human Rights First label it the third. No U.S. agency has released a definitive schedule of “third-country” deportations, leaving the total number of migrants sent to the CAR and other African states unclear.
What’s Next
The administration has not announced any changes to its “third-country” policy. The August 29 poll indicating strong public support for admitting Afghan allies may influence future legislative or executive actions, but no concrete plan has been disclosed.
