Kathmandu— The United States government has deported dozens of individuals, including an Afghan national whose relatives aided the US military, to the Central African Republic. The deportations, which occurred on a flight landing Saturday in Bangui, are part of a series of agreements made under the Trump administration to send people with limited ties to third countries as part of broader immigration enforcement efforts. Despite receiving a court order protecting him from deportation to Afghanistan due to Taliban threats, the Afghan man was sent to the Central African Republic along with other Afghans and individuals from Iran, Nepal, and Nicaragua.

Family’s Service To US Military

The deported Afghan man, identified as Khalil by The New York Times, has family members who directly supported US forces in Afghanistan. Court documents show his brothers faced threats from the Taliban due to their collaboration with the American military. One brother served in the Afghan National Army alongside US troops before the Taliban takeover in 2021, while another was a pilot trained by the United States and later killed by the Taliban. Khalil’s sister and father also worked with US forces, according to reports.

Protection Order Overridden

Despite these ties and credible fears of persecution, a US judge had previously granted the Afghan man protection against deportation to Afghanistan. His lawyer, Alma David, confirmed that this order was disregarded as part of the recent deportations. Advocacy groups including AfghanEvac, the American Civil Liberties Union, and Human Rights First have also verified his removal from the United States.

Controversial Deportation Agreements

The deportation flight to Bangui carried 12 Afghans, eight Iranians, and several individuals from Nepal and Nicaragua. Savi Arvey, director of policy at Human Rights First, stated this was the third such flight to the Central African Republic this year. The Trump administration had previously established agreements to send thousands of people to countries where they have no existing connections as part of its immigration crackdown.

The US State Department currently advises against all travel to the Central African Republic due to significant risks including unrest, crime, kidnapping, health concerns, and terrorism.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.