The Trump administration has deported dozens of people to the Central African Republic, including an Afghan man whose family worked with US forces, according to lawyers and human rights groups.
The Afghan man, in his 20s, had been granted protection from deportation by a US judge due to fears of Taliban persecution, said his lawyer Alma David.
AfghanEvac, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), and Human Rights First confirmed the deportation.
Court documents obtained by the Associated Press show that the man's family in Afghanistan received threats from the Taliban because his brothers had supported US troops.
One brother, who lives in the US, served in the Afghan National Army, which partnered with US forces before the Taliban took power in 2021, David said. Another brother, a US-trained pilot, was killed by the Taliban.
The New York Times identified the man as Khalil, adding that his father and sister also worked with US forces.
The deportation flight landed in Bangui on Saturday carrying 12 Afghans, 8 Iranians, and some Nepalis and Nicaraguans, said Savi Arvey, policy director for refugees and immigration rights at Human Rights First.
This is the third such flight to the Central African Republic this year, the group said.
Under quiet agreements, the Trump administration has sent thousands of people to third countries where they have no ties, as part of its immigration crackdown.
The US State Department's latest travel advisory warns Americans not to visit the African nation for any reason, citing instability, crime, kidnapping, disease, and terrorism.
