Iranian woman among migrants deported to the Central African Republic

Key Points:

• An Iranian woman is among approximately two dozen migrants being deported from the U.S. to the Central African Republic (CAR) under the Trump administration’s controversial practice of deporting third-country nationals to nations other than their own.
• The CAR, one of the poorest and conflict-ridden countries in Africa, has agreed to accept third-country deportees as part of secret agreements with the U.S., which uses this method to indirectly return asylum seekers to their home countries.
• Several migrants, including Iranians who had court protection due to credible fears of persecution, received emergency court orders temporarily halting their deportations as legal reviews continue.
• The CAR is a key Russian ally in Africa and hosts the Wagner mercenary group, raising concerns about the safety of deportees, especially Iranian asylum seekers, given Russia's close ties to both countries.
• U.S. immigration authorities declined to comment on the specific deportation flights, citing security reasons, while advocates criticize the policy as a legal loophole undermining asylum protections.