The Trump administration has transferred $7.5 million from a congressional fund traditionally reserved for international refugee assistance to Equatorial Guinea in exchange for accepting deportees who are not US citizens. The payment went directly to the government led by President Teodoro Mbasogo, who has ruled for 46 years, and his son, Vice President Nguema Obiang, both accused of embezzling state funds. A French court convicted Obiang in 2017 for money laundering, and US authorities previously seized over $27 million in luxury assets from him, including a jeweled Michael Jackson glove.
Senator Jeanne Shaheen questioned Secretary of State Marco Rubio about the arrangement, expressing concern over potential human trafficking risks and lack of transparency given Equatorial Guinea's corruption record. Washington has approached 58 governments about accepting deportees through financial incentives or diplomatic pressure, with most countries cited in State Department reports for human rights violations.
The Migration and Refugee Assistance fund has been repurposed under the current administration to expedite deportations rather than support humanitarian crises overseas.
Senator Jeanne Shaheen questioned Secretary of State Marco Rubio about the arrangement, expressing concern over potential human trafficking risks and lack of transparency given Equatorial Guinea's corruption record. Washington has approached 58 governments about accepting deportees through financial incentives or diplomatic pressure, with most countries cited in State Department reports for human rights violations.
The Migration and Refugee Assistance fund has been repurposed under the current administration to expedite deportations rather than support humanitarian crises overseas.
