US deports Afghan granted protection to Central African Republic

August 30, 2026 at 08:10 AM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

The US deported an Afghan man granted protection against removal to Afghanistan to the Central African Republic on Saturday. His lawyer and advocacy groups said his family faced Taliban threats over his brothers' support for the US military. The flight carried 12 Afghans and eight Iranians to Bangui, the third US deportation flight to the country this year.

Key Facts

The Afghan man, in his early 20s, was granted protection against deportation to Afghanistan by a US judge due to fears of Taliban persecution.
The deportation flight landed in Bangui, Central African Republic, on Saturday carrying 12 Afghans and eight Iranians, plus several people from Nepal and Nicaragua.
It was the third US deportation flight to the Central African Republic this year, according to Human Rights First.
One of the Afghan man's brothers lives in the US and served in the Afghan National Army, which collaborated with the US military before the Taliban seized power in 2021.
The US State Department Travel Advisory warns citizens not to travel to the Central African Republic for any reason, citing unrest, crime, kidnapping, health, and terrorism risks.

Deportation Flight

The deportation flight landed in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic, on Saturday. It carried 12 Afghans and eight Iranians, as well as several people from Nepal and Nicaragua, according to Savi Arvey, director of policy, refugee and immigrant rights at Human Rights First. This was the third deportation flight from the US to the Central African Republic this year, the rights organisation said. The US State Department Travel Advisory warns citizens not to travel to the Central African Republic for any reason, citing risks of unrest, crime, kidnapping, health, and terrorism.

Afghan Man's Background

The Afghan man, in his early 20s, was granted protection against deportation to Afghanistan by a US judge due to fears of persecution by the Taliban, his lawyer Alma David said. His family in Afghanistan had received threats from the Taliban because of his brothers' involvement in supporting the US military, according to court documents seen by The Associated Press. One brother lives in the US and served in the Afghan National Army, which collaborated with the US military before the Taliban seized power in 2021. Another brother was a pilot trained by the US and later killed by the Taliban, David added. According to The New York Times, which identified the Afghan man only as Khalil, his sister and father also worked alongside US forces.

Advocacy Response

Advocacy organisations AfghanEvac, the American Civil Liberties Union, and Human Rights First confirmed his deportation. Under a series of often quietly struck agreements, the Trump administration has sent thousands of people to third countries where they have no ties as it pushes ahead with an immigration crackdown.