Farzana: Afghan asylum seeker deported by ICE to Central African Republic, has malaria
Farzana, a 32-year-old Afghan asylum seeker, was deported to the Central African Republic after years in detention. She now lives alone in Bangui, diagnosed with malaria.
Aug 28, 2025LACountry of origin: Afghanistan

Farzana, a 32-year-old Afghan asylum seeker, was deported by ICE to the Central African Republic on August 28 after years in immigration detention, including time held in Louisiana, with ICE forcing her onto a flight alongside roughly 40-50 men. She and her fiancé had entered the U.S. through the southern border in May 2024 seeking asylum via the CBP One app; her fiancé had applied for a Special Immigrant Visa tied to his assistance to the U.S. mission in Afghanistan. Before her removal, her lawyers had filed a habeas corpus petition challenging her detention, which was unsuccessful, followed by an emergency motion for a restraining order the same day she was deported; the government denied that motion three days later. Farzana described being mistreated in detention, saying officers 'kept us like animal[s],' and says she received only three months of resettlement support from the UN and the host government; she has since been diagnosed with plasmodium falciparum, the deadliest form of malaria, and says she feels 'safe only inside my room' while living alone in Bangui without identity papers, work, or family ties.
“They kept us like animal[s].”
“I have no ties, no understanding of culture, even I don’t understand the language. Also, I can’t return to my country due to Taliban. What is my future?”
Tags
Sources
- 'They Kept Us Like Animals': Afghan Woman Deported to Africa by Government Officials Speaks Out
International Business Times·Sep 18, 2026·archived copy
- ‘They Kept Us Like Animals’: Afghan Asylum Seeker Says ICE Sent Her To Central African Republic Without Papers
CRBC News·Sep 18, 2026·archived copy
- ABC Miami News
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