The Trump administration is reportedly planning and carrying out deportations of migrants, including Iranians, to the Central African Republic (CAR), according to multiple lawyers and officials briefed on the matter cited by Reuters and AFP. One report says the first flight is expected to take roughly 20 people, and includes two Iranian women whose lawyers say they could face torture or persecution if forced to return to Iran. The women include one who converted to Christianity and another described as a pro-democracy activist, their lawyer said.
Another report, citing lawyers, says a deportation flight departing Friday carries nationals from Iran as well as from Afghanistan, Turkey and Georgia. The actions are part of so-called “third-country” deportations, in which people are removed to a country other than their country of origin.
The sources note that CAR is marked by ongoing instability, violence, and poverty. A US State Department advisory cited in one report warns people not to travel to CAR for any reason.
