Trump Administration Plans Deportation of Iranian Migrants to Central African Republic Under New Third-Country Deal

The Trump administration is preparing to deport a group of Iranian migrants, along with nationals from several other countries, to the Central African Republic (CAR) under a controversial third-country deportation agreement, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Among those facing removal are two Iranian women who have been granted legal protections in the United States after immigration judges determined they would likely face persecution or torture if returned to Iran. Their attorney, Emily Trostle, said one woman is a Christian convert, while the other is a pro-democracy activist, both belonging to groups considered vulnerable under Iran’s government.

The women arrived in the United States in November 2024 and later applied for asylum. Although they received withholding of removal protection, a legal status that prevents deportation to a country where an individual faces serious harm, they may still be transferred to a third country under current U.S. immigration policies.

Sources told Reuters that the first deportation flight to the Central African Republic could carry around 20 migrants, including individuals from Iran, Syria, Afghanistan, and Turkey. One Turkish national reportedly faces political persecution in his home country and may also be included on the flight.

The Trump administration has increasingly relied on third-country deportation agreements to remove migrants who cannot legally be sent back to their countries of origin. Critics argue that these arrangements lack transparency and may expose vulnerable migrants to unsafe conditions.

Under the agreement, deportees are expected to be housed in apartments in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic. Officials indicated that they are not expected to be immediately repatriated, though hundreds of migrants could eventually be relocated there under the program.

The Central African Republic remains one of the world’s poorest nations and has experienced decades of political instability, armed conflict, and humanitarian crises. Despite recent peace agreements and international security support, concerns remain over the safety and long-term welfare of migrants transferred to the country.

Human rights advocates have criticized the policy, arguing that relocating asylum seekers and protected migrants to unstable countries raises serious legal and humanitarian concerns. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said it would provide voluntary post-arrival humanitarian assistance in Bangui but emphasized that it is not involved in carrying out the deportations.