The administration of United States President Donald Trump has deported dozens of people to the Central African Republic, including an Afghan man whose family members collaborated with the U.S. military, according to his lawyer and advocacy groups. The Afghan national, in his early twenties, had been granted protection against deportation to Afghanistan by a U.S. judge due to fears of persecution by the Taliban.

This deportation highlights a broader immigration policy under the Trump administration, which has been deporting individuals to third countries with which they have no prior connections as part of an immigration crackdown. These actions have drawn criticism from human rights organizations concerned about the safety and well-being of those deported.

Alma David, the Afghan man's lawyer, stated that his family in Afghanistan had received threats from the Taliban because of his brothers' support for the U.S. military. Court documents reviewed by The Associated Press corroborate these claims. One brother served in the Afghan National Army alongside U.S. forces before the Taliban's takeover, while another, a U.S.-trained pilot, was reportedly killed by the Taliban.

The deportation flight, which landed in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic, on Saturday, carried 12 Afghans, eight Iranians, and individuals from Nepal and Nicaragua. This marks the third such deportation flight to the Central African Republic this year, according to Human Rights First.

Despite the U.S. State Department's travel advisory warning citizens against travel to the Central African Republic due to risks of unrest, crime, kidnapping, health concerns, and terrorism, the administration has continued these deportations. The article notes that these deportations are often carried out under "quietly struck agreements."

AfghanEvac, a U.S.-based organization supporting Afghan allies, along with the American Civil Liberties Union and Human Rights First, have confirmed the Afghan man's deportation. The New York Times, which identified the individual as Khalil, reported that his sister and father also worked with U.S. forces.

These deportations are part of a larger pattern where individuals seeking refuge or facing deportation in the U.S. are sent to other nations. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services' Miami Field Office was involved in the process, as indicated by a file photo, though specific operational details were not provided.

The situation raises questions about the U.S. commitment to individuals who have assisted its military efforts and the safety protocols in place for deportees sent to countries with significant safety concerns. The involvement of advocacy groups suggests ongoing legal and humanitarian challenges to these policies.