Handcuffed, unaware of their destination — nine migrants reportedly flown to Cameroon despite legal protections.
The Trump administration secretly deported nine individuals to Cameroon in January, despite some having court protections against removal and none originating from that country, according to a report by The New York Times.
The newspaper said the group was placed on a January 14 flight departing from Alexandria, Louisiana, operated by the Department of Homeland Security. Several of the deportees allegedly did not know they were being sent to Cameroon until they were boarded in handcuffs and chains.
The report, citing government documents and attorneys for the deportees, said some of those removed had legal protections in place that were intended to prevent their deportation. Details of the individuals’ nationalities were not immediately available.
Neither DHS nor the U.S. State Department responded to requests for comment. Cameroon’s Ministry of External Affairs also did not comment publicly. Reuters said it could not immediately reach lawyers representing the deported individuals.
The administration of Donald Trump has not announced any formal agreement under which Cameroon would accept deportees from third countries.
If confirmed, the removals could raise legal and diplomatic questions, particularly regarding compliance with U.S. court orders and international deportation protocols.
