Both the eastern and western governments of Libya reject U.S. claims of an agreement to accept deported migrants, highlighting the political tensions and rights concerns surrounding the proposed transfer.
Disputed Plans to Deport U.S. Migrants to Libya Denied by Rival Governments
Disputed Plans to Deport U.S. Migrants to Libya Denied by Rival Governments
Conflicting statements emerge from Libya as U.S. plans to send deported migrants face governmental objections.
Amidst growing tensions, both of Libya's rival governments have publicly denied any agreement to accept deported migrants from the United States. The U.S. government, under the Trump administration, indicated plans to transport deported individuals to Libya via military flights, sparking a significant diplomatic stir.
On May 7, 2025, a statement from the internationally recognized Tripoli government, which governs the western part of Libya, emphasized the absence of any “agreement or coordination” regarding the deportation of migrants. They firmly rejected the idea of using Libyan territory for such purposes without consent.
Simultaneously, the eastern government led by warlord Khalifa Hifter also denied any reported arrangements. Their foreign ministry reaffirmed a complete rejection of any deals concerning the resettlement of migrants, regardless of nationality. The discord lays bare the complicated political landscape, as any agreements purported to have been made by “parallel entities” in eastern Libya do not hold legal weight according to the Tripoli government.
While the U.S. formally recognizes the Tripoli government, previous interactions between officials of the Trump administration and Hifter’s forces raise uncertainty. Hifter's son, Saddam, even visited Washington last week, suggesting potential clandestine dealings.
However, critics of the proposed deportations have highlighted Libya's notorious record for human rights violations against migrants. Reports detail conditions that institutions like Amnesty International have described as inhumane, with instances of torture and sexual violence documented in Libyan detention facilities, rendering the suggested transfer deeply controversial. As the diplomatic standoff continues, the fates of the proposed deportees hang perilously in the balance.
