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

Through their lawsuit, they seek legal protection from Cameroon and the suspension of the bilateral migration agreement with Washington. According to their lawyer, Master Joseph Fru Awah, the complaint also aims to prevent their possible forced return to their countries of origin.

Statement from Master Joseph Fru Awah

Joseph Fru Awah: As with any legal action before a court, we hope the tribunal will grant our requests. We are asking the court to suspend the exchange of notes between Cameroon and the United States and to clarify the legal status of these individuals under Cameroonian law. Thirdly, we are seeking an injunction to prevent Cameroon from deporting these people.

Press inquiry: Given the financial incentives Cameroon may gain from the U.S. migration agreement, do you believe your case has a chance?

Joseph Fru Awah: I am not here to discuss financial matters. My role is not to assess agreements between sovereign nations. As an attorney, my focus is on their legality. While Cameroon and the United States have the right to enter into such agreements, these must comply with national and international law—a principle we are upholding in this case.

My concern, as a lawyer, is ensuring this agreement adheres to legal standards. Since we argue that it violates both international and national law, we are asking the court—acting as an arbitrator—to suspend the agreement, demand clarity on the plaintiffs’ legal status, and prevent Cameroon from deporting them.

Conditions faced by expelled migrants in Cameroon

Joseph Fru Awah: These individuals are deeply traumatized. To illustrate, some have been hospitalized five times in the six months since their arrival—a staggering figure. Their situation is dire. It was precisely this humanitarian crisis that prompted us to file the lawsuit.