Deportees on Africa flight describe straitjackets, abuse, and denial of bathroom access
Aug 9, 2026
Country of origin: Nigeria

An estimated 71 Nigerian, African, and other foreign nationals were expelled from the United States on a 26-hour ICE deportation flight on July 31, routing through Sierra Leone, the Central African Republic, and Ghana. Passengers, including Mohamed Barry, said GEO Group-contracted guards subjected them to verbal and physical abuse, bound at least two detainees in full-body straitjackets, and refused to let them use the lavatory. Barry said he witnessed an ICE agent instruct a foreign official to return detainees to their home countries despite protection orders barring such removal, a practice known as chain refoulement that violates U.S. and international law.
Sources
Related incidents
- Cuban man detained in Florida, deported to Central African Republic, held in BanguiOct 6, 2026 · West Palm Beach, FL
- Toddler U.S. citizen left in Mexico after parents deported to VenezuelaOct 6, 2026 · Mexico
- Texas pastor deported to Ghana, a country he has never visitedOct 6, 2026 · Mesquite, TX
- Babson College student deported to Honduras despite judge's order, now fights for returnOct 5, 2026 · Boston, MA
- Army veteran deported to Jamaica despite pending appeal; Georgia judge later voids old convictionOct 5, 2026 · Covington, GA
- Laotian man released after year in Eswatini prison following U.S. deportationOct 4, 2026 · Matsapha, Eswatini