US deports Iranian pro-democracy activist to Central African Republic, lawyer says

An Iranian pro-democracy activist has been deported by the United States to the Central African Republic, according to her lawyer, Emily Trostle. Trostle described the transfer as "super dangerous," emphasizing that the activist has no ties to the Central African Republic.

The flight carrying the activist departed from Louisiana on Thursday night. While only the activist was confirmed to be on this particular flight, Trostle did not rule out the possibility that other Iranian women facing deportation might be sent later. The plane was reportedly headed to Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic, with a stopover in Accra, Ghana.

Trostle expressed grave concerns, stating, "These individuals are being removed from the United States and abandoned in a country where they have no status, no connection and no support network. We fear they will ultimately be forced to return to the countries they originally fled." The U.S. State Department and the Central African Republic's presidency had not immediately responded to requests for comment. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security previously stated that all deportees would receive full due process.

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They have absolutely no connection to this place. In all of my filings I submitted tons of information about how this was super dangerous

Deals between the U.S. and countries like the Central African Republic allow for the deportation of individuals who cannot be legally sent back to their home countries. Washington maintains these agreements are lawful, but rights groups and advocates have raised concerns about their opacity and the potential for deportees to be repatriated.

The Iranian American Legal Defense Fund (IALDF) highlighted that the asylum claims of these Iranian women were denied due to a rule requiring asylum seekers to apply in transit countries first. Although a federal court vacated this rule in May, the IALDF considers deporting Iranians to the Central African Republic a "potentially fatal action" due to the country's security issues and the risk of onward deportation to Iran. The IALDF also noted concerns about Russian presence in the Central African Republic, given Moscow's close intelligence ties with Tehran.

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These individuals are being removed from the United States and abandoned in a country where they have no status, no connection and no support network. We fear they will ultimately be forced to return to the countries they originally fled.