In brief
Eight individuals from various African nations have been deported to Uganda by the United States under a migration agreement designated by the Ugandan government. In response, the Uganda Law Society condemned the process as 'dehumanizing' and plans to challenge the legality of the deportations. The arrangement marks a significant development in US immigration policy under the Trump administration, which aims to expedite deportations to third countries.
The United States has deported eight individuals from different African countries to Uganda, marking the first transfer under a migration deal established last year.
The group arrived on Wednesday following approval from a US judge, as confirmed by Uganda's foreign ministry.
This recent development comes as the Uganda government has become designated as a safe third country for migrants unable to return to their home nations for various reasons, including persecution.
However, the Uganda Law Society has condemned these deportations, labeling the process as 'undignified, harrowing, and dehumanizing.' The organization plans to challenge the legality of the deportations in court.
In its statement, the ministry elaborated that the deportees are not Ugandan or US citizens but are 'of African origin' who have not been granted asylum in the United States and are hesitant to return to their original countries.
President Donald Trump's administration has intensified deportation efforts since taking office in January 2016, with numerous individuals deported to various third countries including Ghana and South Sudan.
Uganda has approved the deportation of migrants, contingent upon their lack of criminal history. Observers have raised ethical questions regarding the treatment of deportees, with several organizations advocating for a reevaluation of the policy.
In response to the situation, the BBC has reached out to the US Department of Homeland Security for further comment.
