In a significant shift in immigration policy, the United States may soon begin deporting migrants to Libya, according to two US officials who spoke with CBS News. These officials, who requested to remain anonymous, indicated that the US military could start airlifting migrants to the North African nation as early as this week. This decision is expected to generate considerable controversy, as Libya has been embroiled in conflict for over a decade.
The US State Department currently advises American citizens against traveling to Libya due to several serious concerns, including crime, terrorism, and civil unrest. Given these warnings, the potential deportation of migrants to such an unstable region raises ethical and humanitarian questions. The BBC has reached out to the US State Department for a formal comment on this developing situation.
Libya is believed to be one of several countries that the Trump administration has approached to accept deported migrants. Recent reports have surfaced indicating that Rwanda is in preliminary discussions with the US regarding similar arrangements. Other countries such as Benin, Angola, Equatorial Guinea, Eswatini, and Moldova have also been mentioned in various media outlets as potential partners in this immigration strategy.
Currently, it remains unclear how many migrants the US intends to deport to Libya or which specific regions within Libya these individuals would be sent to. Since the ousting of former leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, the country has been divided politically. The western part is governed by a UN-backed administration, while the eastern region is under the control of military strongman Gen Khalifa Haftar. Although Haftar's son recently met with US officials in Washington, both the US State Department and a Libyan spokesperson clarified that the discussions did not pertain to deportation matters.
Since taking office in January, President Trump has intensified efforts to deport migrants, implementing a mass deportation campaign that sometimes employs controversial tactics, including the invocation of a centuries-old wartime law. As part of this initiative, the government has recently offered illegal migrants in the US a financial incentive of $1,000 (£751) to voluntarily leave the country, further highlighting the administration's aggressive stance on immigration.
As the situation develops, many will be watching closely to see how the proposed deportations to Libya unfold and the implications they may have on the lives of migrants facing uncertain futures.
