The Kabul Tribune (KT) — The United States is planning to deport a number of Iranian, Afghan, and other migrants to the Central African Republic under a third-country arrangement, Reuters reported, citing sources familiar with the matter.
According to the report, the plan could involve an initial group of around 20 people, including Iranians, Syrians, and Afghans, with flights potentially beginning as early as this week.
Sources said hundreds of migrants could ultimately be sent to the Central African Republic, a country facing ongoing instability and poverty.
Among those facing deportation are individuals who had sought asylum in the United States and were granted limited protection after immigration authorities determined they could face persecution or torture if returned to their home countries.
The U.S. administration has defended such third-country deportation agreements as lawful, while rights groups have raised concerns about transparency and the safety of those being relocated.
The Central African Republic has recently agreed to accept migrants deported from the United States, though officials from both countries have not publicly commented on the reported plan.
The development comes amid broader U.S. immigration measures and ongoing regional tensions, with humanitarian organizations warning about the risks faced by vulnerable migrants under such arrangements.
