Central African Republic Agrees To Accept US-Deported Third-Country Migrants

The Central African Republic has reportedly agreed to accept migrants deported from the United States who are originally from third countries, according to sources familiar with the arrangement.

The deal is said to be part of wider US efforts to speed up deportations by transferring migrants to countries willing to receive them, even if those individuals are not citizens of those states. Similar agreements have already been reached with several African countries, including Ghana and Sierra Leone.

According to officials, the arrangement was discussed during a meeting in Bangui between Central African authorities and a US delegation, although details such as the number of deportees, their nationalities, and timing of transfers have not yet been disclosed.

Rights groups have raised concerns about such agreements, arguing that they may bypass legal protections in US immigration courts for individuals who had previously been granted protection from removal to their home countries.

The Central African Republic, which has faced long-standing political instability and economic hardship, is expected to coordinate support for incoming deportees with international partners such as the International Organization for Migration.

However, both governments have not publicly confirmed full operational details of the deal, and no timeline has been announced for the first deportation flights.