Transgender Woman Deported to Central African Republic in Fear and Isolation
Transgender woman Daniela Fuentes faces danger after being deported to Central African Republic. U.S. policy sparks concerns over LGBTQ+ rights.
POLICY WIRE — Bangui, Central African Republic — A transgender woman from Cuba, Daniela Fuentes, now lives in hiding in the Central African Republic after being deported by U.S. authorities. She has been forced to conceal her identity in a country with no legal protections for LGBTQ+ individuals.
Fuentes, 32, previously lived openly as a woman in Miami, where she worked as a hair stylist and performed at a nightclub. However, after being detained and deported on August 29, she now wears men’s clothing and avoids drawing attention to herself. She resides in a compound in Bangui with other Cuban deportees, many of whom also lack identification or work permits.
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The U.S. has sent thousands of migrants to third countries under agreements not fully disclosed, including more than 500 to African nations between January 2025 and August 2026. Advocacy groups warn that some of those deported face risks of detention, abuse, and persecution. Fuentes, who says she was never informed of her destination until mid-flight, is now seeking asylum in Canada while hoping to return to Cuba.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
