Cuban transgender woman deported by U.S. to Central African Republic

Daniela Fuentes, a 32-year-old Cuban transgender woman who lived openly in Miami, was deported to the Central African Republic on August 29, 2026. Under a U.S. “third-country” deportation program, migrants are sent to nations that are neither their country of citizenship nor their habitual residence.

Fuentes, who had no ties, family, or legal protections in the Central African Republic, arrived in the capital, Bangui, around August 31. She reported that she must now hide her identity, wearing men’s clothing and lowering her voice to avoid attention. She currently resides in a housing complex with other Cuban migrants deported from the United States.

The Central African Republic is one of at least 12 African nations that have signed agreements to accept these third-country deportations. Rights organizations and U.S. officials have noted that destinations such as Liberia, Equatorial Guinea, South Sudan, Uganda, and the Central African Republic can be politically unstable and dangerous, particularly for LGBTQ individuals.