Deported Despite a Judge's Order: What Happened to Farah and What It Means for Asylum Seekers
Farah did everything right. She fled violence in Morocco. She crossed six countries to reach the US border. She asked for asylum (this means asking the US government for protection because you fear harm in your home country). And a US immigration judge agreed she was in danger — giving her a legal order that said she could not be sent back to Morocco.
But that order didn't protect her. ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) handcuffed her and put her on a plane to Cameroon — a country she had never visited, where being gay is a crime.
Right now, immigrants across the country are asking: if a judge's order can be ignored, how safe is anyone?
What Happened to Farah?
Farah is 21 years old. In Morocco, she was beaten by her family and her partner's family when they found out she was gay. Being gay in Morocco is illegal and can mean up to three years in prison. Her family tried to kill her.
She and her partner fled Morocco. They got visas for Brazil, then trekked through six countries to reach the US border in early 2025. When they arrived, they asked for asylum.
Farah was detained — first in Arizona, then in Louisiana — for almost a year. She described thin blankets and poor medical care. Her partner was denied asylum and deported (sent back to their home country). But Farah received something her partner didn't: a protection order from a US immigration judge. That order said she could not legally be sent back to Morocco because her life would be in danger.
Three days before a hearing on her release, ICE put her on a plane. Not to Morocco — but to Cameroon. She had never been there. And in Cameroon, homosexuality is also illegal.
"They asked me if I wanted to stay in Cameroon, and I told them that I can't stay in Cameroon and risk my life," she told the Associated Press. She was then flown to Morocco, where she is now living in hiding, afraid her family will find her.
What Are "Third-Country Deportations" and Why Do They Matter?
A third-country deportation means the US sends someone to a country that is not their home country — a country they may have no connection to at all.
The Trump administration has been using this as a strategy. The idea is to pressure undocumented immigrants to leave the US on their own, by warning them they could end up "in any number of third countries."
Cameroon is one of at least seven African countries that have agreed to take deported people in exchange for money from the US. Others include South Sudan, Rwanda, Uganda, Eswatini, Ghana, and Equatorial Guinea. According to a report from Democratic staff of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the US spent at least $40 million to deport about 300 migrants to countries other than their own.
Farah's immigration lawyer, Alma David from the Novo Legal Group, said eight of the people on the first deportation flight to Cameroon had received a judge's protection order. That's not a technicality — those orders are supposed to be legally binding.
"By deporting them to Cameroon... the US not only violated their due process rights but our own immigration laws, our obligations under international treaties and even DHS' own procedures," David said.
The US Department of Homeland Security responded: "We are applying the law as written. If a judge finds an illegal alien has no right to be in this country, we are going to remove them. Period."
Is This Legal? What Do Immigration Lawyers Say?
Immigration lawyers say these deportations exploit a legal "loophole." When someone is sent to a third country, they may not get a chance to contest it. In Cameroon, the deportees were given what lawyers describe as "impossible choices" — with no clear option to claim asylum presented to them, and no lawyer access before decisions were made.
Joseph Awah Fru, a lawyer in Cameroon representing the deportees, said he was denied access to them. Three AP journalists reporting on the deportations were briefly detained in Cameroon.
According to internal administration documents reviewed by the AP, 47 third-country agreements are currently in various stages of negotiation. That means this is not a one-time event — it is a growing policy.
Courts have pushed back in some cases. Judges have ordered the administration to return some deported individuals. But enforcement has been inconsistent, and for people like Farah who are already gone, court orders come too late.
Read the full AP report via ABC7 Los Angeles.
Who Is Most at Risk From Third-Country Deportations?
Anyone with a pending asylum case should pay close attention to this. The people sent to Cameroon came from multiple African countries — Ghana, Congo, and others. None of them were Cameroonian. None had ties to that country.
LGBTQ+ asylum seekers face particular danger. Many flee countries where their identity is criminalized. Being sent to another country where the same laws apply puts them right back in danger.
But this isn't only an LGBTQ+ issue. Anyone who fears persecution — based on religion, ethnicity, political opinion, or family — could be affected if their case is denied and they are sent to a third country without a fair process.
If you have a pending asylum application and are worried about your 180-day eligibility for a work permit, use the free AsyClock calculator to check your asylum clock and work permit eligibility. Knowing where you stand with your case timeline is more important than ever.
What Should You Do Now?
- Get a lawyer as soon as possible. If you have an open asylum case, connect with a qualified immigration attorney. Cases with legal representation have much better outcomes. If you can't afford one, look for nonprofit legal aid organizations in your area.
- Do not miss any hearings or deadlines. If you have a court date, show up. Missing hearings can result in a deportation order in your absence, which gives the government more options to remove you.
- Track your asylum clock. If you have a pending asylum application, you may be eligible for a work permit (Employment Authorization Document, or EAD) after 180 days. Use the free AsyClock tool to track your 180-day asylum clock and find out if you qualify to apply for work authorization.
- Know your rights. Even if ICE contacts you, you have rights. You have the right to remain silent. You have the right to speak to a lawyer. Do not sign documents you don't understand.
- Document everything. Keep copies of all immigration documents, court orders, and correspondence. If you have a protection order from a judge, keep it safe and make copies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a third-country deportation?
A third-country deportation is when the US sends someone to a country that is not their home country — a country they may have no ties to. The Trump administration has been using this tactic as part of its immigration enforcement strategy. People sent to third countries may have little or no chance to contest where they are being sent.
Can the US deport someone who has a judge's protection order?
A protection order from a US immigration judge is supposed to legally prevent deportation to a specific country. However, the Trump administration has argued it can still send people to third countries, calling it a separate legal action. Immigration lawyers say this exploits a loophole and violates due process rights and US immigration law.
How many people have been deported to third countries?
According to a report from Democratic staff of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the US has spent at least $40 million to deport roughly 300 migrants to countries other than their own. Internal administration documents show that 47 third-country agreements are currently being negotiated, meaning this number is likely to grow.
What should asylum seekers do to protect themselves right now?
The most important steps are to get an immigration lawyer, attend all court hearings, and keep copies of all legal documents including any protection orders. If you have a pending asylum application, track your case timeline carefully — including your 180-day work permit clock at AsyClock. Staying informed and legally represented gives you the best protection.
Are LGBTQ+ asylum seekers more at risk from these deportations?
Yes. LGBTQ+ asylum seekers who fled countries where homosexuality is criminalized face serious danger if deported to another country with similar laws. Farah's case shows that even a judge's protection order may not prevent deportation to a dangerous third country. LGBTQ+ immigrants should seek legal help and document their fear of persecution in detail.
