Trump Administration Deports Afghan Protected From Taliban To Central African Republic

The Trump administration has deported dozens of migrants to the Central African Republic, including a 24-year-old Afghan man identified as Khalil, despite a US immigration judge previously protecting him from deportation to Afghanistan because of fears of Taliban persecution.

The deportation flight landed in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic, on Saturday. Human Rights First said the flight included 12 Afghans and eight Iranians, along with nationals from Nepal, Nicaragua and other countries. The New York Times reported that about 70 foreign nationals were aboard the flight.

Khalil had been granted withholding of removal last year after an immigration judge found his fear of persecution credible. His lawyer, Alma David, said his family had received threats from the Taliban because several relatives supported US forces during the war in Afghanistan.

According to reports, Khalil's brother Najib served as a database administrator with the Afghan National Army, while another brother was a US-trained pilot who was killed fighting the Taliban in 2020. His father and sister also reportedly worked alongside US forces. After the Taliban takeover in August 2021, the family fled to Pakistan, while Taliban members allegedly raided their home looking for them.

US Army Col. Zachary Schmidt, who supervised Khalil's brother, testified during his asylum proceedings and said he believed Khalil could be killed if returned to Afghanistan. Despite the court protection, Khalil was deported to the Central African Republic, a country with which he has no known connection.

Human Rights First said the latest operation was the third US deportation flight to the Central African Republic this year. The broader policy has seen around 23,000 people deported to countries other than their own, including roughly 19,000 sent to Mexico, according to Human Rights First and Refugees International.

The policy has drawn criticism from immigration lawyers and rights groups, who argue that third-country deportations can bypass asylum protections. The US State Department also warns Americans against travelling to the Central African Republic because of risks including crime, kidnapping, unrest, terrorism and health threats.