Central African Republic Agrees to Accept Deported Migrants from the US

The Central African Republic has agreed to accept migrants of foreign nationalities who were deported by the United States, marking the latest instance of agreements made by President Donald Trump's administration with African nations to expedite deportation procedures, according to two informed sources.

Washington has sent deportees of various nationalities to several African countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Equatorial Guinea, under agreements that Senate Democrats claim have cost tens of millions of dollars.

In numerous cases, the deported individuals had previously obtained legal protection from U.S. immigration courts preventing their return to their countries of origin. However, human rights organizations argue that these deportation agreements with other countries allow the United States to circumvent such protections, as reported by Reuters.

A U.S. judge recently invalidated immigration restrictions imposed by the Trump administration, describing them as "illegal."

The U.S. government has defended the deportation operations, describing them as lawful. A Central African Republic official stated that the agreement with his country was discussed during a meeting held on May 18 in Bangui with a U.S. delegation led by Christian Jovee Erhart, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration.

The official, who requested anonymity, said, "The Central African Republic will indeed receive migrants deported by U.S. authorities under agreements with the United States."

A diplomat stationed in the region, also speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that an agreement had been reached.

An official from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) confirmed that the organization will assist the deportees upon their arrival in the Central African Republic.

The IOM has already provided aid to deportees from third countries in other parts of Africa, including the Congo.

This year, the United States provided $85 million to the International Organization for Migration for its work in the Central African Republic.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security stated that all deportees receive full due process. It referred questions about the details of the agreement to the State Department.

The issue of migrant detention centers continues to divide European countries between efforts to restore sovereignty and attempts to export the migration crisis.