US Deportations to Africa Criticized as Unlawful by Human Rights Watch

• •HRW reports over 500 deportations to African countries since 2025.
• •Deportees face risks of persecution, violating international law principles.
• •US DHS claims deportations are necessary for public safety.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has accused the US of unlawfully deporting migrants to African countries where they have no ties, claiming this policy exploits human suffering to deter migration. Since President Trump resumed office in 2025, over 500 individuals have been deported to nations like Eswatini, Ghana, and South Sudan, where they face risks of persecution or torture. HRW's report highlights that many deportees are returned to their countries of origin despite the dangers they face there, violating the principle of non-refoulement. The US Department of Homeland Security defends the policy as a necessary public safety measure. HRW's findings are based on interviews with 24 deportees from six African countries, revealing inhumane treatment during deportation flights. The report also notes that some deportees, including LGBTQI+ individuals, are sent to countries where they face severe human rights violations. The US has been accused of using diplomatic pressure to secure agreements with African nations for these deportations.