Thirty-six African migrants expelled from the United States to Yaoundé have filed a legal challenge in Cameroonian courts, seeking protection and the suspension of a bilateral migration agreement. Their lawyer, Joseph Fru Awah, argues that deporting them from the U.S. to Cameroon violates international law, as the country cannot serve as a transit point for individuals facing persecution or torture upon return to their homelands.

Since January 2026, these individuals—originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Angola, Ethiopia, Sierra Leone, Kenya, Senegal, Zimbabwe, and Morocco—had temporary protection against deportation in the U.S. Their expulsion to Cameroon now leaves them in legal limbo, with no clear residency status and restricted movement, according to their legal representative.

Legal battle targets us-Cameroon migration accord

The lawsuit, filed with the Yaoundé administrative court, demands the immediate suspension of the U.S.-Cameroon migration pact. It also requests that the 36 migrants be granted legal protection under Cameroonian law, preventing their forced repatriation to countries where they allege they would face harm.

Joseph Fru Awah emphasized the urgency of the case, stating, “The Cameroonian government cannot act as an intermediary for deportations that could lead to torture or persecution. This agreement undermines the sovereignty and humanitarian obligations of Cameroon.”

Life in limbo: no papers, no freedom

Upon arrival in Yaoundé, the migrants were placed in a facility managed jointly by Cameroonian authorities and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Despite their vulnerable status, they have been denied identity documents and face severe travel restrictions, effectively trapping them in a state of administrative uncertainty.

The legal team argues that this situation exposes a critical flaw in the U.S. policy of transferring deportees to third countries. Cameroon, one of several African nations that have agreed to accept expelled migrants—including the Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, and others—has become a focal point for legal and ethical scrutiny.

Millions in incentives and diplomatic pressure

Reports indicate that the U.S. has offered financial incentives—reportedly in the millions of dollars—to persuade countries like Cameroon to accept deportees. Additionally, Washington has threatened visa restrictions against nations that refuse cooperation, raising concerns about coercion in these agreements.

The Biden administration has defended the policy, asserting that while deportees cannot be sent back to their countries of origin, transferring them to third countries remains legally permissible. However, critics argue that such measures circumvent international asylum obligations and place vulnerable individuals at further risk.