Understanding Third-Country Deportations to Africa

The United States has been sending individuals to African nations through third-country removal agreements, a policy that has faced significant scrutiny. These arrangements involve deporting migrants to countries with no direct connection to their nationality. An investigation revealed that the Trump administration deported at least 450 people to 12 African countries through these agreements by August 31, 2026. This practice is part of a larger system that has transferred over 25,000 people to countries other than their own since January 2025.

The Scope of African Deportation Agreements

The agreements with African governments are part of a broader strategy to manage immigration. These deals have been established through political and financial pressure, as well as discreet negotiations. The United States has reportedly pledged at least $410 million to support these third-country removal programs across six continents.

Within Africa, 13 countries have been named in connection with these deals. By August 31, 2026, twelve of these nations had received deportees. Ghana received the largest number of individuals, with over 100 people sent there. Other countries like Cameroon, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Eswatini each received dozens of deportees. Eswatini, for example, has an agreement that allows for up to 150 deportees and received a direct payment of $5.1 million from the U.S.

Libya is also mentioned in relation to these African agreements, though specific details about deportations to Libya are less clear in the provided information. Liberia, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Cape Verde, and South Sudan are also identified as African countries involved in these arrangements.

How Third-Country Deportation Agreements Work

These agreements often give the receiving government control over each deportation case. Documents related to these arrangements typically allow the host country to accept or reject individuals slated for deportation. Some agreements also grant the receiving nation the right to deport the individual onward to another country.

In many instances, Washington is required to provide the receiving government with a list of individuals scheduled for deportation at least seven days before a flight. This notice period allows officials in the destination country to review the list and decide whether to accept each person. Cameroon, for example, has committed to treating transferred individuals in accordance with international law and preventing persecution or torture within its borders or after any onward transfer. These provisions place the responsibility for the well-being and subsequent decisions regarding the deportee onto the receiving government.

Challenges and Consequences for Deportees

The human impact of these third-country deportations is significant. In Yaoundé, deportees have been housed in temporary state shelters. A Cameroonian lawyer has filed a lawsuit to suspend the agreement between Washington and Yaoundé, highlighting legal challenges to the policy.

Individual cases illustrate the difficult situations faced by those deported. One report mentions an Iranian woman sent to the Central African Republic and a gay Ghanaian man who was threatened with death upon his return to Ghana. These accounts underscore the complexities of sending individuals to countries where they may have no established ties, family, or legal support. The destination government may receive someone who has never lived there, potentially leaving them without resources or protection.

Legal Challenges and Continued Operation

Despite legal opposition, the third-country removal policy has continued to operate. A U.S. federal appeals court ruled that the policy was unlawful. However, the administration’s use of these arrangements remained active as of September 21, 2026. The investigation noted that the number of people deported to third countries reached 25,447 by August 31, 2026, with the African transfers accounting for at least 450 of those cases.

U.S. officials had actively engaged with African nations, approaching 49 countries and securing agreements with 13. Negotiations were also underway with nine other African countries in March 2026, indicating an expanding reach beyond those that had already accepted deportees. Human rights lawyers have described this policy as a “show of force” aimed at deterring migrants and asylum seekers. The agreements often link immigration enforcement with broader diplomatic and financial incentives, such as aid, trade, and tariffs.

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