Miami‑area migrants who were recently removed to the Central African Republic are speaking out about the difficult conditions they face in a remote detention center. Their accounts arrive as the Trump administration has formally asked the U.S. Supreme Court to reaffirm the government’s authority to deport individuals to “third countries” – nations where the migrants may have no familial or legal ties but that have agreed to receive them.
First‑hand accounts from deportees
Yasmany Moreno De Armas, a Cuban national who previously lived in Hialeah Gardens, told NBC6 he has been in the Central African Republic since August. “The situation here is very hard,” he said in Spanish. Moreno De Armas described widespread malaria, language barriers that make everyday tasks challenging, and reports of kidnappings that have heightened fear among the detainees.
Another Cuban, Aristides Fernández García, called the situation a “migratory limbo,” while Nur Mohammod, a Bangladeshi migrant, said he avoids leaving the detention center because local police regularly harass the group and demand money. “Whenever we go outside, the police harass us,” Mohammod explained.
Kenis López González, a Nicaraguan, echoed the sentiment of abandonment, noting that the men were pursuing immigration cases in the United States when they were removed and maintain that they have no criminal records.
Legal backdrop and the administration’s stance
The Trump administration’s request to the Supreme Court seeks to solidify a policy that allows the federal government to send migrants to third‑country partners when removal to their home nation is not feasible. The administration argues that these agreements help manage the surge of illegal immigration at the southern border and protect American communities.
Immigration attorney Willie Allen, representing several of the deportees, cited a recent federal court ruling that requires migrants to receive meaningful notice before being sent to a third country. “You cannot give somebody 24 hours’ notice that you’re going to be sent to Liberia,” Allen said. “You’re going to have notice sufficient to file a claim as to why you don’t want to be sent to Liberia or to the Central African Republic and have an opportunity to fight not to be deported to a third country where you fear being persecutated.”
Policy context and third‑country partners
Third‑Country Deportation Watch, a group tracking the policy, notes that Mexico has received the largest number of migrants under these arrangements, followed by Guatemala, Costa Rica and Honduras. Several African nations, including the Central African Republic, have also agreed to accept deportees.
Critics, including immigrant‑rights advocates, argue that deportees often lack passports, identity documents or legal status, leaving them vulnerable in unfamiliar environments. They contend that the policy should ensure adequate notice and a genuine opportunity to challenge removal to countries where they may face persecution.
Administration’s response
In a statement, the White House emphasized that the request to the Supreme Court is intended to provide clear legal guidance, ensuring that the government can continue to enforce immigration laws while respecting due process. The administration maintains that third‑country agreements are a lawful and necessary tool for safeguarding the nation’s borders.
Federal officials have not yet responded to NBC6’s request for comment on the specific cases highlighted in this report.
Original reporting: NBC6 Miami — read the source article.
