Trump is disappearing refugees into the hands of torturers – and rewarding them handsomely
Refugees from third countries are being sent to Equatorial Guinea, where they are often sent back to the very countries they fled
TL;DR
- The US is paying Equatorial Guinea to accept refugees and asylum seekers who were previously in the US.
- Individuals sent to Equatorial Guinea face a high risk of persecution and torture, and are often sent back to their countries of origin.
- The Trump administration has increased foreign assistance to Equatorial Guinea, a country with a deeply corrupt and abusive regime, to facilitate these deportations.
- Activists and organizations are challenging this policy, highlighting human rights abuses and corruption associated with the Equatoguinean government.
- At least 65 third-country nationals have been forcibly transferred to Equatorial Guinea since November 2025, with many having received protection in the US.
- Equatorial Guinea has ignored an emergency ruling from the African Commission on Human and People's Rights ordering them not to send people back to danger.