Farah, a 21-year-old gay woman from Morocco, found herself back in hiding after being deported by the US to Cameroon, where homosexuality is illegal. Violence from her family forced her to flee Morocco initially. Although a US immigration judge granted her protection, Farah was deported under the Trump administration’s third-country deportation policy.

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This policy aims to pressure undocumented migrants to leave the US and includes deporting individuals to countries they have never visited. Farah faced this situation despite her legal protection, raising concerns about due process and international law violations.

Farah recounted how she and her partner first escaped Morocco for Brazil with the hope of reaching the US. They journeyed through six countries, seeking asylum at the US border. However, just days before a scheduled hearing, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) suddenly deported her to Cameroon, where she was detained alongside other non-Cameroonian deportees.

Critics argue these deportations violate legal rights. Alma David, an immigration lawyer, highlighted that deportees were not clearly informed of their rights or options. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has been accused of not providing sufficient alternatives for those deported.

The US has agreements with countries such as Cameroon, Ghana, and Rwanda, offering financial incentives to accept third-country deportees. Reports indicate that the Trump administration spent $40 million to deport approximately 300 migrants under these agreements.

After returning to Morocco, Farah lives in fear of being discovered by her family. She expressed frustration at being seen as a threat, emphasizing the significant contributions of immigrants to the US. Despite her ordeal, she remains hopeful for a better future.

Farah’s story highlights a complex immigration issue, drawing attention to the challenges faced by asylum seekers under current policies.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · Source · 22 Feb 2026

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It’s troubling to see an asylum seekers facing persecution for her sexuality being sent to a country where the same danger exists.

What also raises questions is the broader inconsistency in how different groups are treated. White South Africans appear to be given fastrack entry, while others fleeing oppression in various parts of the world face far stricter barriers or are redirected to unsafe third countries.

A clearer and more consistent standard for all asylum seekers, regardless of nationality, would help avoid these double standards and ensure protection is based on risk, not origin.

She - and others - should try for Oz. At least she'ld get a decent & sympathetic hearing and a law-abiding decision.

6 hours ago, mfd101 said:

She - and others - should try for Oz. At least she'ld get a decent & sympathetic hearing and a law-abiding decision.

You don't get a choice with ICE. She's Moroccan. Why was she not deported to Morocco? LGBLT+ is pretty much illegal in the US now, too. If she's jailed or worse in Cameroon, think the US is going to protest?

Her sexuality is not the point. Her human rights are.

Why is everybody flaunting their sexuality these days, anyway. I mostly do it with cows but I need a milk-crate to stand on. Sometimes calves, too. Oh, I shouldn't say that here.

15 hours ago, ASEAN NOW News said:

Critics argue these deportations violate legal rights. Alma David, an immigration lawyer, highlighted that deportees were not clearly informed of their rights or options. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has been accused of not providing sufficient alternatives for those deported.

The US has agreements with countries such as Cameroon, Ghana, and Rwanda, offering financial incentives to accept third-country deportees. Reports indicate that the Trump administration spent $40 million to deport approximately 300 migrants under these agreements.

What a waste of public money! Hanging or a firing squad would be cheap.

11 hours ago, unblocktheplanet said:

You don't get a choice with ICE. She's Moroccan. Why was she not deported to Morocco? LGBLT+ is pretty much illegal in the US now, too. If she's jailed or worse in Cameroon, think the US is going to protest?

Her sexuality is not the point. Her human rights are.

Why is everybody flaunting their sexuality these days, anyway. I mostly do it with cows but I need a milk-crate to stand on. Sometimes calves, too. Oh, I shouldn't say that here.

Morocco only accepts 8% of repatriations. No country on earth can be forced to accept people it doesn't want. That's what being sovereign means. Utimately, a country can deny the claimed identity. Thats why there are camps across Syria and Iraq full of fairly murderous people. Their own countries don't want them.

Australia doesn't want their citizens back

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-16/australian-families-with-isis-links-leave-camp-in-syria/106351298

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-20/australian-women-who-lived-under-islamic-state-come-home-syria/104953800

Of course you could threaten countries to accept repatriations. They mght not care. You migh cut visas. They might not care. Or maybe you pay them