Trump Administration Deports 500 Migrants to African Nations

The Trump administration has deported more than 500 third-country nationals to Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eswatini, and South Sudan. A report from Human Rights Watch alleges that many of these individuals were sent to countries where they have no connections and were denied the ability to contest their removals, despite facing risks of torture or persecution in their home countries.

The report documents abusive treatment during transport, including prolonged shackling, and notes that some deportees, including LGBT refugees, were sent to states that criminalize same-sex relations. An unnamed US official told the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations that the policy was intended to "scare people" and "terrorize" migrants.

Legal challenges to the policy are moving forward, with the Supreme Court of the United States scheduled to hear arguments in December. The court will determine if the removals violate the Due Process clause of the US Constitution or statutory bars against returning individuals to torture.