According to attorney Joseph Ava Fru, who represents some of the migrants, the first nine individuals were transferred from a center in Louisiana last month, while the remaining eight arrived on February 16. Among those deported are citizens of Ghana, Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone, and Senegal. Two Moroccan citizens chose to return to their homeland, while the others remain in Cameroon.
Lawyers report that most migrants are experiencing significant psychological stress.
Under U.S. law, migrants who face persecution in their home countries can only be sent to third countries with a court order. However, attorneys argue that the court recognized the high risk of persecution for their clients and imposed a ban on deportation.
Elma David, one of the lawyers, noted that the migrants were deported without prior notice or the opportunity to contest the decision.
This week, attorney Fru took journalists, including staff from the Associated Press, to the facility where the migrants are held. During their interaction with the migrants, police detained the attorney and four journalists, confiscating their equipment under the pretext of illegally obtaining confidential information. After several hours, they were released, but the equipment was not returned.
The details of the agreement between the U.S. and Cameroon regarding the reception of deported individuals remain unknown. The U.S. State Department declined to comment on their legal status.
As WSJ emphasizes, this situation has drawn criticism within Cameroon, where President Paul Biya is accused of turning the country into a "receptacle" for deported migrants.
It was previously reported that the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) plans to convert 23 industrial buildings to accommodate migrants, which could lead to the creation of centers with a capacity of up to 80,000 people. These plans have raised concerns among local residents and authorities due to potential living conditions and infrastructure issues.
