Why the US Is Sending Deported Migrants to African Countries

The United States has intensified efforts to relocate deported migrants to several African countries, combining diplomatic pressure, visa restrictions, and financial incentives to secure cooperation from governments across the continent.

The policy has drawn international attention after reports emerged that Washington has been sending migrants from countries outside Africa to African nations willing to receive them.

One of those affected is 43-year-old Cambodian national Pheap Rom, who said he was deported to Eswatini, a small southern African kingdom ruled by King Mswati III. According to AFP, Rom was transferred to a maximum-security prison upon arrival.

“I didn’t understand why I was being expelled to Africa since I’m Cambodian,” Rom said, expressing confusion over his unexpected destination.

The development follows earlier warnings by the US government that several African countries could face visa restrictions if they refused to cooperate with deportation arrangements. Reports also suggest that some governments have been offered financial support and other incentives in exchange for accepting deported migrants.

Human rights organisations have raised concerns about the policy, arguing that migrants are being sent to countries where they have no family ties, legal status, or cultural connections. They also questioned the conditions in which some deportees are being held after arrival.

The US government maintains that the deportation programme is part of broader efforts to strengthen immigration enforcement and remove individuals who have exhausted legal options to remain in the country.

However, the strategy has sparked debate among migration experts and rights advocates, who say relocating migrants to third countries could expose them to uncertainty, detention, and possible human rights violations.

ALSO READ:Here’s The State Russian President Vladimir Putin to Build First Russian Embassy in Nigeria