US reportedly deports nine migrants to Cameroon secretly.

According to a report by New York City-based newspaper, The New York Times, the nine deportees were placed on the Department of Homeland Security flight from Alexandria, Louisiana.

The report added that the individuals were allegedly not informed of their destination. They are said to have been transported under restrained conditions in handcuffs and chains.

The move, we gathered, was taken despite several holding US court protections against removal.

At press time, the US Department of Homeland Security, the State Department and Cameroon’s Ministry of External Relations, MINREX, have not publicly confirmed any agreement which authorises a transfer of such nature.

Business Insider Africa reported in the early hours of February 16 that such transfer means that Cameroon has joined some African countries drawn into Washington’s expanding deportation strategy.

Other countries who are reported to have accepted third-world deportees from the US include Rwanda and Eswatini.

The deals, it was said, typically involves migrants who cannot be returned to their home countries due to diplomatic barriers, lack of documentation, or security concerns.

The publication also added that the policy has drawn criticism for its potential violation of due process and non-refoulement obligations under international law.

Rights groups are said to have strongly opposed the decision to send migrants to countries with which they have no ties. They stressed that this raises fresh humanitarian and legal concerns.

Another report by The Associated Press detailed that another group of eight third-country nationals was deported to Cameroon February 16. 

It should be recalled that US president, Donald Trump, had promised to accelerate the removal of migrants and tightened border enforcement when he was elected for the second time. 

President Trump’s administration has employed several measures to meet their targets. Emphasis, reports say, has been placed on migrants whose home governments refuse repatriation or delay documentation.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3708 of Thursday February 19, 2026