Cameroonian authorities are arbitrarily detaining non-Cameroonian nationals deported from the United States, and reports indicate the detention and abuse of journalists attempting to document their plight. The deportations, carried out under a previously undisclosed agreement, raise serious questions about the Trump administration’s adherence to international law and the safety of those returned to a country facing ongoing instability and human rights concerns. The situation highlights a growing pattern of the US circumventing legal protections for asylum seekers and others facing persecution.
In January and February, the US government deported 17 men and women – including asylum seekers and a stateless person – to Cameroon from nine African countries: Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Zimbabwe, according to Human Rights Watch and reporting from The Latest York Times. This secretive operation has sparked outrage from human rights organizations and raised concerns about the fate of those sent back to a nation grappling with violence and political repression.
Upon arrival in Cameroon, the deportees were immediately detained by Cameroonian authorities, despite a lack of legal justification for their detention. A lawyer assisting some of those deported reported that representatives from United Nations agencies offered the possibility of seeking asylum within Cameroon, but the deportees expressed feeling pressured to return to their countries of origin. This pressure underscores the precarious situation faced by individuals forced to navigate an unfamiliar legal system in a country where their safety may be at risk.
Several of those deported had existing court-ordered protections against being sent back to their home countries due to well-founded fears of persecution or torture. The Trump administration bypassed these protections by sending them to Cameroon, a country consistently flagged by human rights groups as unsafe for deportations. Human Rights Watch has documented previous harms experienced by Cameroonian asylum seekers deported by the US, raising serious concerns about the potential for further abuse.
A History of Instability and Abuse in Cameroon
For years, Cameroon has been plagued by violence and armed conflict, particularly in its Anglophone regions. The government has been criticized for its crackdown on opposition and the media, and both armed groups and government forces have been accused of widespread abuses, including torture in detention. Human Rights Watch details ongoing human rights violations within the country, painting a grim picture for those seeking refuge there.
The situation is particularly concerning given Cameroon’s own internal conflicts. In November 2025, Human Rights Watch reported on killings and mass arrests following disputed elections, demonstrating the government’s willingness to suppress dissent. This political climate casts a shadow over the safety and well-being of those deported to the country, especially those who may be vulnerable due to their political beliefs or asylum claims.
Journalists Targeted for Reporting on Deportations
The US government’s secrecy surrounding these deportations has extended to hindering independent reporting. Journalists attempting to investigate and document the situation have faced harassment and arrest by Cameroonian authorities. The New York Times reported on the arrests, highlighting the lengths to which authorities are going to suppress information about the deportations.
This suppression of information raises concerns about transparency and accountability. The lack of access for journalists makes it hard to independently verify the conditions faced by those deported and to hold authorities accountable for any abuses.
International Law and the Principle of Refoulement
Cameroon is a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention and has national refugee legislation, yet two individuals sent to Cameroon by the US have already returned to their countries of origin, suggesting they did not find adequate protection there. Fifteen remain in detention in Yaoundé. The principle of refoulement – the forced return of individuals to a country where they face a risk of persecution, torture, or other serious harm – is prohibited under international law. By deporting individuals to Cameroon, the US government may have violated its international legal obligations.
Human Rights Watch argues that the US has consistently engaged in practices that undermine the protection of asylum seekers and other vulnerable individuals. Their reports detail similar abuses in other countries, including Panama and Costa Rica, where mass expulsions have resulted in serious harm to those deported. The organization calls for an end to these practices and for the US to uphold its international legal obligations.
What’s Next?
The Cameroonian government should immediately release the remaining deportees, ensure they are protected from refoulement, and facilitate their return to the United States. It should also respect freedom of the press and investigate the arrests of journalists covering the deportations. US courts and Congress are facing increasing pressure to investigate the deportations to Cameroon and to end agreements with third countries that lack adequate safeguards for vulnerable populations. The next step will likely involve legal challenges to the deportation agreements and calls for greater transparency from the Trump administration.
This situation demands continued scrutiny and advocacy to ensure the protection of those seeking refuge and to hold governments accountable for upholding international law. Share this story to raise awareness about the plight of these individuals and the urgent need for action.
