Reports of potential deportations of migrants from the U.S. to Libya, a country plagued by severe human rights violations and migrant abuse, have shed light on the grim realities faced by individuals in this lawless North African nation. Migrants in Libya are routinely subjected to arbitrary detention in squalid centers, where they endure extortion, abuse, rape, and even killings. A U.N.-backed investigation revealed crimes against humanity committed against migrants, including enslavement, torture, and murder, with some victims ending up in mass graves.

Following the upheaval in Libya after the 2011 NATO-backed uprising, the country has descended into chaos, with rival administrations supported by rogue militias. Despite documented abuses, the European Union and Italy have provided support to Libyan groups to prevent migrants from reaching European shores. Migrants intercepted in Libya face arbitrary detention, extortion, and torture in centers run by armed groups, leading to cycles of crimes and exploitation.

Recent orders to suspend operations of international aid organizations in Libya have further exacerbated the situation for migrants, particularly Black and non-Arab individuals who face heightened abuse and exploitation. Concerns arise over the safety of migrants being deported to Libya, as the country’s restrictive asylum procedure and dangerous conditions raise serious doubts about the well-being of these individuals. The potential deportations underscore broader questions about the treatment of migrants and the effectiveness of deterrence strategies in the migration context.