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US deports 500+ migrants to African countries where they have no ties, HRW says
Human Rights Watch accuses the United States of violating international law by deporting over 500 migrants to African countries where they lack citizenship or ties, using the deportations as immigration deterrence since Trump's 2025 return. The report documents abusive treatment during deportations and warns of violations of non-refoulement protections, while the US government defends the policy as a public safety tool.
Quick Facts
- Deportation of migrants from US to African countries where they lack citizenship
- Policy designed to deter migration
- Abusive treatment during deportation flights
- Arbitrary detention in receiving countries
- Return of deportees to countries of origin despite persecution risks
Human Rights Watch has accused the United States of violating international law by deporting more than 500 migrants to African countries where they are not citizens and have no practical ties, using the policy as a deterrent to immigration since President Donald Trump returned to the White House in January 2025.
The rights group published a report based on interviews with 24 deported individuals across six African countries—Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eswatini, and South Sudan. According to HRW, deportees described abusive treatment during flights lasting up to 18 hours, including being chained, denied medication, and given insufficient food or water. Some said they were not informed of their destination. HRW argues the practice violates the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits sending people to places where they face torture, persecution, or threats to life and freedom.
The US Department of Homeland Security defended the policy, stating that "third country removals are an essential public safety tool that remove the most dangerous criminal illegal aliens from our streets" and that ICE receives diplomatic assurances that deportees will be safe. White House spokesperson Lauren Bis told the BBC that those sent to third countries are individuals whose home nations refused to take them or who have court orders preventing their return home. She added that the administration offers free flights and $3,000 checks to those who wish to return to their home countries.
HRW said at least a dozen LGBTQI+ individuals, including some granted refugee protection based on persecution risk, were deported to African states that criminalise same-sex relations. The report also noted that some receiving countries, including Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, and Ghana, subsequently returned deportees to their countries of origin, potentially violating non-refoulement protections. An unnamed US official cited by HRW told a Senate hearing that distant destinations like Eswatini or Palau were chosen to "threaten people that they will literally be dropped in the middle of nowhere" with the intention to "scare people."
Many agreements underpinning the deportation programme remain secret or partially undisclosed, HRW said. A separate September investigation by the Forbidden Stories journalism consortium estimated approximately 25,000 people have been deported worldwide under the third-country deportation programme. Burundi became the 15th African nation to sign such an agreement in recent months. According to reports, the US has used diplomatic and economic leverage in negotiations, including threats of higher tariffs, visa restrictions, and cuts to development aid.
Why This Matters
The reported deportations affect over 500 documented cases with broader implications for approximately 25,000 individuals deported globally under the programme. The practice intersects international law obligations (non-refoulement protections under refugee conventions), bilateral diplomatic agreements with 15 African nations, and measurable outcomes: LGBTQI+ deportees sent to jurisdictions criminalising same-sex relations; some receiving countries subsequently returning deportees to countries of origin; and the deployment of economic leverage (tariffs, visa restrictions, aid cuts) in negotiations. The disputes centre on whether deportations violate binding non-refoulement obligations and whether treatment during transport meets due-process standards—outcomes with direct bearing on migration policy, asylum procedures, and diplomatic relations.
Timeline & Sources
Jan 1, 2024
WireTrump made tackling immigration a key election pledge
Oct 8, 2026
WireHuman Rights Watch published report accusing US of violating international law through deportations to African countries
Related Signals
Sources
- US deportations to African countries unlawful and exploit suffering - rights groupBBCMediaOct 8, 2026
- US deportations to African countries unlawful and exploit suffering - HRWBBCMediaOct 8, 2026
- Africa: United States Accused of Exploiting Migrant Suffering With Africa DeportationsallAfrica.comMediaOct 8, 2026