Trump's Shocking Plan to Deport Iranians to War-Torn Central African Republic

The Trump administration is set to deport Iranian asylum-seekers and other migrants to the Central African Republic (CAR), a nation plagued by violence and instability, under a newly forged third-country agreement.

The first flight could take off as soon as Thursday, transporting approximately 20 individuals, including migrants from Syria, Afghanistan, and a Turkish national.

These third-country deportation agreements have become a favored tool for the administration, allowing the removal of migrants who cannot be sent back to their home countries legally.

A similar arrangement was previously established with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), showcasing a pattern of reliance on such deals.

The CAR shares borders with Chad, Sudan, South Sudan, the DRC, and Cameroon, positioning it in a volatile region.

Since its independence from France in 1960, the CAR has endured decades of political turmoil, marked by six coups and rampant armed insurgencies that have led to widespread violence and threats of mass atrocities against civilians.

President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, who secured a third term in December’s election, has turned to Russia for security support while also seeking partnerships with Western nations to exploit the country’s critical minerals sector.

This new US deal could see hundreds of migrants sent to the CAR, igniting fierce opposition from immigration defense attorneys.

Among those slated for the initial flight are two Iranian women who arrived in the US in November 2024. They obtained “withholding of removal” from a US immigration judge.

Their attorney, Emily Trostle, warns that both women face severe risks of torture and persecution if returned to Iran. One is a baptized convert; the other is an activist for democracy.

Both women were detained upon their arrival in the United States in November 2024 and subsequently filed asylum applications, receiving protection in the form of a stay of deportation from an immigration judge, according to Trostle.

The deal was reportedly finalized during a US delegation visit to Bangui in May, as reported by Reuters.

Details regarding the total number of migrants involved, their specific nationalities, and the timeline for future flights remain undisclosed.

Once deported to the CAR, these individuals are expected to be housed in apartments in Bangui and will not face immediate repatriation.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM), which received $85 million in US funding this year, confirmed it will provide voluntary post-arrival humanitarian assistance at the request of the Central African government.

The IOM clarified that it is not involved in the actual deportations.

At least eight African nations have accepted US deportees, typically in exchange for financial or logistical support.

The State Department and Trostle did not respond immediately to requests for comment.