End Third-Country Deportations That Undercut Court-Ordered Protection

As your constituent, I urge you to sponsor legislation to prevent the Federal government from deporting protected migrants to countries other than their homelands. People whom U.S. judges have protected from return to persecution should not be forced into danger elsewhere because of who they are or whom they love. PROTECTED MIGRANTS FACE PRISON AND FORCED RETURN Reuters documented 40 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender migrants granted U.S. protection but deported to African countries where same-sex sexual activity is illegal or the State Department has reported abuse of these groups. These transfers can leave people in an unfamiliar country without a home, family or support, afraid to reveal whom they love or ask for help. Sierra Leone permits life imprisonment for male same-sex sexual activity. Reuters cited State Department findings of conversion therapy and “corrective rape” in other destinations. “Corrective rape” is sexual assault intended to punish or supposedly change someone’s sexuality. Abdou Latifou fled Togo after a mob attacked him for kissing his partner. A U.S. judge protected him from return there. The United States sent him to Sierra Leone, whose authorities forced him back to Togo. He had to flee for safety again, reaching Ivory Coast. Sixteen of the 40 were forced back to their homelands, Reuters reported. AMERICAN PROTECTION MUST NOT END IN BETRAYAL A judge’s order may bar return home without preventing deportation to another country. But another country offers no refuge if it persecutes that person or sends them home. Congress should prohibit these transfers for everyone granted protection from return to persecution or torture. When a U.S. judge protects someone from return to persecution, our government should not defeat that protection by sending the person through another country. American justice is not served when the United States recognizes the danger, arranges the transfer and leaves the person exposed to the persecution the judge sought to prevent. Please act before more people are forced to relive the terror they escaped: (1) BAN THESE TRANSFERS. Sponsor legislation prohibiting involuntary third-country deportations of people granted protection from return to persecution or torture, including withholding of removal and protection under the Convention Against Torture. The ban must cover transfers through foreign intermediaries. (2) BLOCK FUNDING. Support an enforceable prohibition on federal spending for these transfers. (3) INVESTIGATE AND RESTORE PROTECTION. Seek hearings on abuse, detention and forced return after transfer. Support legislation requiring the Homeland Security and State Departments to find affected migrants and assess their safety. Require reports to Congress within 30 days of enactment and monthly thereafter. The legislation must require prompt return, with each person’s consent, for those facing danger to seek protection before a U.S. immigration judge. Thank you.