INTERNATIONAL — June 12, 2026
US Plans to Deport Afghan and Syrian Migrants to Central African Republic
The US is preparing to send approximately 20 migrants including Afghans to the Central African Republic as part of a third-country removal plan, drawing criticism from over 80 lawmakers concerned about risks to those who aided US forces.
The Ehtebar Desk — originates with Khaama Press — corroborated by Afghanistan International — 2 min read
The United States plans to transfer a group of about 20 asylum seekers, including individuals from Afghanistan, Syria, and Iran, to the Central African Republic. This marks the first flight under a third-country removal agreement, with the departure scheduled for next week.
The migrants are to be accommodated in the capital city of Bangui. Reports indicate that US officials do not expect their immediate repatriation to countries of origin. Several of the asylum seekers have secured court orders staying their removal, citing more than 50 percent risk of torture if returned home.
Criticism of the plan has come from immigration lawyers, rights advocates, and over 80 members of Congress from both parties. The lawmakers have written to Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging him to halt similar transfers for more than 1,100 Afghans in Qatar who supported US operations. They expressed concerns that sending them to nations facing crises, such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, would endanger lives and violate obligations.
The US has held talks about using the Democratic Republic of Congo as another potential destination for such transfers.
Read the original reporting at Khaama Press →
Reliability assessment
Two independent outlets corroborate the core event of the US third-country removal plan to the Central African Republic, citing Reuters with consistent details on the flight size, involved nationalities, DRC talks, and congressional letter to Marco Rubio. Named public figures (Marco Rubio, Jason Crow) and the congressional letter provide concrete, attributable facts.
The source language mixes facts with framing or advocacy wording. Afghanistan International: "serious risk of torture and persecution", "endangers their lives", "moral imperative" - these phrases emotionally frame the US policy as reckless and unethical while emphasizing danger and broken promises without neutral sourcing.; Khaama Press: "drawn criticism", "warn that deported migrants could eventually face return to countries where they risk persecution, detention or other forms of harm", "particularly sensitive for Afghan migrants" - these phrases introduce opinionated framing by emphasizing risks, criticism, and sensitivity without neutral sourcing for every claim.
Across the newsrooms
Where reports agree
- US is using third-country removal agreements to deport migrants including Afghans to the Central African Republic.
- First flight expected to carry approximately 20 people from Afghanistan and Syria.
- Plan has drawn criticism from immigration lawyers and human rights advocates over safety risks.
- Discussions have also involved the Democratic Republic of Congo as a potential destination.
- Over 80 US lawmakers have urged Secretary Marco Rubio to halt related plans for Afghans in Qatar.
Where reports differ
- Afghanistan International provides specific details on Iranian women with stay-of-removal orders and a Turkish national; Khaama Press does not.
- Khaama Press mentions housing arrangements in Bangui and lack of immediate repatriation expectations; Afghanistan International does not.
- Afghanistan International details the number of Afghans in Qatar (1,100) and quotes from Rep. Jason Crow; Khaama Press is less specific on numbers and quotes.
Filed by 2 outlets
Khaama Press
Originating
Framed
Framed
Afghanistan International
Framed
Framed
Filed under
International — US deportation policy, Central African Republic, Afghan asylum seekers, Marco Rubio, Qatar
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