A clear message to self-deport
Cuban immigrants from Florida are being deported to the Central African Republic under the Trump administration's controversial "third-country" removal policy, where they are sent to nations with no ties to their origin. 36 deportees, including Yasmany Moreno (32), Arístides Fernández (37), and Daniel Fuentes (31), were flown on a 21-hour flight from Texas in July 2026 and are currently stranded in Bangui without passports, legal status, or clear next steps.
Cuban immigrants from Florida are being deported to the Central African Republic under the Trump administration's controversial "third-country" removal policy, where they are sent to nations with no ties to their origin. 36 deportees, including Yasmany Moreno (32), Arístides Fernández (37), and Daniel Fuentes (31), were flown on a 21-hour flight from Texas in July 2026 and are currently stranded in Bangui without passports, legal status, or clear next steps.
Key Details
- Stranded Conditions: The group is staying at a modest hotel, Maison Confort, with African authorities warning they may be evicted within 90 days. They report feeling "forgotten," with no ability to seek asylum or return home.
- Government Stance: ICE stated it is using "all lawful options" for the "largest deportation operation in history" and is no longer responsible for individuals once released from custody. The Department of State warns against travel to the Central African Republic due to unrest, crime, and terrorism.
- Broader Context: Internal documents show over 100 deportees from Afghanistan, Cuba, Nicaragua, and other nations were sent to eight African countries (including Burundi, Cameroon, and Liberia) in a 10-day period. Between October 2025 and June 2026, over 4,000 Cubans received deportation orders in Florida alone.
- Legal & Human Rights Concerns: Immigration attorneys and Amnesty International criticize the policy as a "clear abuse of humanitarian rights" and "severe due process abuse," noting the lack of asylum mechanisms and safety risks in the destination countries.


