Thirty-six African migrants expelled from the United States to Cameroon in 2026 have filed a legal complaint in Yaoundé. The plaintiffs, hailing from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Angola, Ethiopia, Sierra Leone, Kenya, Senegal, Zimbabwe, and Morocco, previously held protective legal statuses in the U.S. against deportation to their home countries.

Their lawsuit seeks legal protection from Cameroon and the suspension of the bilateral migration agreement with Washington. According to their legal representative, Master Joseph Fru Awah, the petition also aims to prevent their potential repatriation to their countries of origin.

Statement from Master Joseph Fru Awah

Joseph Fru Awah: As with any legal action before a court, we hope to secure the outcome we seek. We are requesting the court to suspend the exchange of notes between Cameroon and the United States. Additionally, we demand that Cameroon clarify the legal status of these individuals. Finally, we urge the court to prevent Cameroon from deporting these people.

On the legality of the U.S.-Cameroon migration agreement

Joseph Fru Awah: I cannot comment on financial aspects. My role is not to assess bilateral agreements between sovereign nations. As a lawyer, I focus on their legal validity. The governments of Cameroon and the United States are free to enter such agreements, but they must comply with national and international law—this is our core demand.

My concern, as an attorney, is whether this agreement adheres to the law. We argue that it violates both international and national regulations. Therefore, we are asking the court—acting as an arbitrator—to intervene by suspending the agreement, clarifying the legal status of our clients, and preventing their deportation.

Conditions facing the expelled migrants in Cameroon

Joseph Fru Awah: These individuals are severely traumatized. To illustrate, several have been hospitalized five times in the past six months. Their suffering is undeniable, and their living conditions are dire. This is precisely why we initiated legal proceedings.