The flight carried around two dozen migrants to Bangui, according to lawyers involved in the cases. The migrants included nationals from Iran, Jordan, Armenia, Türkiye, Georgia and Afghanistan.

The deportations are part of a series of agreements under which the US administration has sent migrants to countries other than their own. Immigration lawyers and rights advocates have criticized the practice, arguing that it can result in asylum seekers being indirectly returned to places where they fear persecution.

Ali Rahnama, interim executive director of the Iranian American Legal Defense Fund, said several Iranian migrants had previously received protection from deportation to Iran after judges found they had credible fears of persecution based on political or religious grounds.

Three Iranian women were initially scheduled to be deported to the Central African Republic, but two received temporary court orders preventing their removal while judges reviewed the legality of the government’s actions, according to their lawyers.

“Despite being granted withholding of removal, these individuals are being removed from the United States and abandoned in a country where they have no status, no connection and no support network,” said Emily Trostle, an attorney representing two of the women.

The US Department of Homeland Security declined to comment on specific cases, while US Immigration and Customs Enforcement did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The Central African Republic, one of the world’s poorest countries, has faced years of conflict involving government forces and armed groups. The country has also maintained close security ties with Russia, including through the former Wagner mercenary group.

The International Organization for Migration said it would provide humanitarian assistance after arrival at the request of Central African authorities.

The United States earlier awarded $85 million to the IOM for operations in the Central African Republic, including support for migrants and community stabilization efforts.