Yasmany Moreno de Armas, a Cuban national deported by the United States to the Central African Republic, has revealed through his attorney that there might be a negotiation underway to bring him back to the U.S. He would initially be held in a detention center while his immigration process continues.
In a video shared on Instagram, Moreno expressed that the current proposal would not bring him back via parole but would instead involve appearing before a judge to request a bond hearing.
"My lawyer just informed me that negotiations with the U.S. government have been made," Moreno stated, adding that he is still unsure which detention center he would be taken to if this plan comes to fruition.
As per his account, the suggested course of action is to stay in custody until a judge decides on a potential bail. If granted, he could continue his immigration process outside of detention.
"I prefer spending two or three months in a detention center rather than remaining deported in Africa," Moreno declared. "This is the only option they are presenting to me, and it is the only one I can take at this time."
Challenging Conditions in Africa
Moreno has repeatedly described the severe conditions he faces in the Central African Republic. "Life here is incredibly harsh and depressing due to the relentless work and hunger experienced in this country," he remarked.
There has not yet been any official confirmation from U.S. authorities regarding a specific agreement to return Moreno to American soil. The information about the supposed negotiations comes from Moreno's discussions with his attorney.
Background on Moreno's Deportation
At 31 years old, Moreno was deported to the Central African Republic in late July as part of U.S. policy on deportations to third countries. He initially arrived in Florida by raft in September 2016 and was admitted under the now-defunct "wet foot, dry foot" policy.
Moreno later applied for permanent residency under the Cuban Adjustment Act, but his application was denied because, according to records, he filed it after his parole expired.
Without legal status, he was detained by ICE in May 2025 and spent about a year in custody before being deported. Moreno has claimed that he has no criminal record and was only informed of his deportation to Africa when the plane was already nearing its destination in Bangui. From there, he has reported lacking documentation, facing movement restrictions, and struggling to meet basic needs.
U.S. Supreme Court's Role in Deportations
In another video, Moreno reacted to a U.S. Supreme Court decision allowing the Trump administration to continue rapid deportations to third countries while the legality of this policy is under review.
"This will be a very ugly situation for all immigrants currently in detention centers," Moreno warned, fearing that more individuals might be sent to African nations before the court resolves the case.
On September 29, the Supreme Court temporarily suspended lower court decisions that required specific procedural guarantees before sending an immigrant to a third country. The court also agreed to examine the case's merits, scheduling arguments for its December 2026 session.
This means the court has not yet definitively ruled the policy legal; it has merely allowed it to continue temporarily while deliberating on due process issues, immigration laws, and protections against sending people to places where they claim a risk of persecution or torture.
The decision was noted on Tuesday regarding the provisional continuation of deportations to third countries.
The policy has led to over 25,000 people being sent to more than two dozen countries, with most being relocated to Mexico, according to data cited by the Associated Press.
Moreno's case arises amid court orders mandating the return of some immigrants expelled to Africa. On September 18, U.S. District Judge Regina M. Rodríguez in Colorado ordered the Trump administration to bring back Honduran Bryan Omar Sánchez, who had been deported to the Central African Republic despite a pending asylum and protection claim under the Convention Against Torture.
Key Questions on U.S. Deportation Policies
What is the "wet foot, dry foot" policy?
The "wet foot, dry foot" policy was a U.S. immigration policy that allowed Cuban migrants who reached U.S. soil to stay and become eligible for residency, while those intercepted at sea were returned to Cuba.
How do deportation policies affect immigrants like Moreno?
Deportation policies can result in immigrants being sent to third countries, often with limited legal recourse or support, as seen in Moreno's case. This can lead to difficult living conditions and challenges in continuing their immigration processes.
What are the legal challenges surrounding rapid deportations to third countries?
Legal challenges focus on whether these deportations violate due process rights and international protections against sending individuals to countries where they may face persecution or torture. These issues are currently being reviewed by the U.S. Supreme Court.