Cameroon Becomes Latest African Nation Linked to Secret US Deportations

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According to a report by The New York Times, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security deported nine migrants to Cameroon in January 2026, despite Cameroon not being their country of origin. The deportees were allegedly placed on a flight from Alexandria, Louisiana without being told their destination until they were restrained in handcuffs and chains. The U.S. government has not publicly confirmed any agreement authorizing such transfers, and Cameroon now joins other African nations like Rwanda and Eswatini that have reportedly accepted third-country deportees from the United States under controversial arrangements.

Why it matters

These secret deportation deals have triggered legal challenges in U.S. courts, where immigration advocates argue the practice may violate due process and non-refoulement obligations under international law. Sending migrants to countries with which they have no ties also raises fresh humanitarian and legal concerns. For the Trump administration, the expansion of third-country deportation agreements aligns with its hardline immigration policies, but for African governments the calculus is complex, potentially involving financial incentives, development assistance, or broader diplomatic considerations.

The details

According to the report, the nine deportees were not Cameroonian nationals but were placed on a January 14 Department of Homeland Security flight from Alexandria, Louisiana without being told their destination until they were restrained in handcuffs and chains. The U.S. government and Cameroon's Ministry of External Affairs have not publicly confirmed any agreement authorizing such transfers. Cameroon now joins other African nations like Rwanda and Eswatini that have reportedly accepted third-country deportees from the United States under controversial arrangements, which typically involve migrants who cannot be returned to their home countries due to diplomatic barriers, lack of documentation, or security concerns.

• On January 14, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security deported nine migrants to Cameroon.

What’s next

Legal challenges are mounting over these third-country deportation deals, as immigration advocates argue the practice may violate due process and non-refoulement obligations under international law. Federal judges have temporarily halted some removals while reviewing whether deportees face potential harm or unlawful transfer.