U.S. Plans First Deportation Flight To Central African Republic
The U.S. will send its first deportation flight to the Central African Republic on Thursday, June 11, 2026, carrying nearly two dozen migrants, lawyers said.[1]
The passenger list reportedly includes at least two Iranian women who hold U.S. court orders barring their removal to Iran, raising questions about how those orders apply to third-country transfers.[1] The Central African Republic is designated "do not travel for any reason" by the U.S. State Department because of severe insecurity, yet it is being used as a destination for third-country removals.[1]
After taking office in January 2025, the Trump administration expanded third-country removals through agreements with dozens of partner states willing to accept migrants with U.S. deportation-protection orders.[1] By March 2026 the administration reported signing agreements with 27 countries and completing roughly 17,400 to 19,000 third-country transfers between January 2025 and May 2026.[1] Early flights under the policy included five people sent to Eswatini in July 2025 and nine people sent to Equatorial Guinea on November 24, 2025, and the program involved multiyear payments to certain partner states.[1]
The legality of the expanded third-country transfer practice is being litigated in D.V.D. v. DHS, where a district court in February 2026 blocked the program on due-process grounds and the administration has appealed.[1] Human rights advocates called the planned deportations unconscionable and warned that sending people with protection orders to a country plagued by violence could put them at grave risk.
The mainstream summary does not mention the broader context of the Trump administration's approach to third-country deportations, which has been characterized by a significant increase in agreements with foreign nations. As of March 2026, the administration had signed agreements with 27 countries and approached at least 54 others, resulting in approximately 17,400 to 19,000 transfers, a stark contrast to the historical rarity of such deportations. In FY 2017, only 1.6% of individuals granted withholding of removal were deported to third countries, indicating a dramatic shift in policy under the current administration.[2]
Furthermore, while the summary highlights the legal challenges surrounding these deportations, it does not address the motivations behind the expansion of these practices. Analysts argue that the administration's strategy is not merely about increasing deportation numbers but rather about creating a climate of fear to deter irregular migration. This is achieved through diplomatic pressures, including threats of tariffs and aid conditions, rather than focusing solely on the logistics of removal.[2]
Show source details & analysis (2 sources)
📊 Relevant Data
The Trump administration has signed third-country deportation agreements with 27 countries as of March 2026 and approached at least 54 others, resulting in approximately 17,400 to 19,000 transfers to third countries (over 16,000 to Mexico and roughly 1,400 to 20 other nations including several in Africa).
U.S. Third-Country Deportation Agreements Are More About Fear than Numbers — Migration Policy Institute
Deportations of individuals granted withholding of removal to third countries have historically been rare; in FY 2017, only 21 of 1,274 such individuals (1.6%) were removed to a third country.
The Difference Between Asylum and Withholding of Removal — American Immigration Council
📌 Key Facts
- Lawyers say the U.S. will send its first deportation flight to the Central African Republic on Thursday, June 11, 2026, carrying nearly two dozen migrants.
- The passenger list reportedly includes at least [two Iranian women] (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/11/world/africa/deportations-central-african-republic-migrants-iran-women.html) who hold U.S. court orders barring their removal to Iran under deportation‑protection orders, raising questions about how those orders interact with third‑country transfers.
- The Central African Republic, which the U.S. State Department designates 'do not travel for any reason' because of severe insecurity, is being used as a destination for third‑country removals.
- After taking office in January 2025, the Trump administration expanded third‑country removals through agreements with dozens of partner states willing to accept migrants who have U.S. deportation‑protection orders.
- By March 2026 the administration reported having signed agreements with 27 countries and completing roughly 17,400 to 19,000 third‑country transfers between January 2025 and May 2026.
- Early flights under the policy included five people sent to Eswatini in July 2025 and nine people sent to Equatorial Guinea on November 24, 2025, and the program involved multiyear payments to certain partner states.
- The legality of the expanded third‑country transfer practice is being litigated in federal court: in D.V.D. v. DHS a district court in February 2026 blocked the program on due‑process grounds and the administration has appealed.
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Lawyers say the U.S. will send its first deportation flight to the Central African Republic on Thursday, June 11, 2026 carrying nearly two dozen migrants.
- The passenger list reportedly includes at least two Iranian women who hold U.S. court orders barring their removal to Iran under deportation-protection orders, raising questions about how those orders interact with third-country transfers.
- The Central African Republic is designated 'do not travel for any reason' by the U.S. State Department because of severe insecurity, yet it is being used as a destination for third-country removals.
- After taking office in January 2025, the Trump administration expanded third-country removals via agreements with dozens of partner states willing to accept migrants who have U.S. court deportation-protection orders.
- Early third-country removal flights under this policy included five people sent to Eswatini in July 2025 and nine people to Equatorial Guinea on November 24, 2025, along with multiyear payments to certain partner states.
- By March 2026, the administration reported having signed agreements with 27 countries and completing roughly 17,400 to 19,000 third-country transfers between January 2025 and May 2026.
- The legality of this expanded third-country transfer practice is being challenged in the federal lawsuit D.V.D. v. DHS, in which a district court in February 2026 blocked the program on due-process grounds; the administration has appealed that ruling.