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32 asylum seekers granted US protection detained in Equatorial Guinea hotel, 25 forced back to unsafe countries

May 28, 2026 · Malabo, GQ

32 asylum seekers granted US protection detained in Equatorial Guinea hotel, 25 forced back to unsafe countries

Under a $7.5 million Trump administration agreement, Equatorial Guinea has detained at least 32 asylum seekers at the Bamy Hotel on Bioko Island since November 2025. All detainees had previously been granted some form of protection by U.S. judges. Twenty-five have been forcibly returned to their African countries of origin—Angola, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Mauritania—where they face persecution, while others remain detained and under pressure to leave. Detainees report psychological distress, inadequate medical care, threats from authorities, and monotonous conditions. Human rights advocates argue the deal exploits a loophole to circumvent U.S. court protections and international asylum norms.

Timeline

May 28, 2026Detainees report psychological abuse, inadequate medical care, and threats from authorities; human rights advocates criticize deal as circumventing U.S. court protections
Nov 30, 202525 detainees forced to return to African countries of origin where they face persecution
Nov 1, 2025At least 32 asylum seekers previously granted U.S. protection begin detention at Bamy Hotel in Equatorial Guinea under $7.5 million U.S. government agreement

Sources

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