DHS Accuses CBS of Hiding 'Fraud' in Profile of Deported Father, Igniting Privacy Debate

Key points

• DHS General Counsel James Percival posted on X that CBS omitted 'absurd bit of fraud' from Diawara’s profile, citing his asylum claim of being gay despite being married.
• Diawara, 57, was deported to Ghana in July 2026 after a 2012 court order barred his return to Mali due to persecution risks; he claims Ghana forced him back to Mali within days.
• Immigration expert David J. Bier accused DHS of violating the Privacy Act by publicly releasing confidential asylum application details, warning it could endanger Diawara’s life.
• CBS reported that 17 of 19 deportees sent to Ghana were subsequently sent to countries U.S. judges deemed unsafe, while DHS cited 'diplomatic assurances' for their safety.
• Diawara’s attorney has petitioned a federal judge in Washington, D.C., to order his return to the U.S., where his wife and two U.S. citizen children remain.

Background

This controversy follows a '60 Minutes' investigation into third-country deportations, which found that many deportees sent to Ghana were subsequently transferred to their home countries despite U.S. court orders barring such returns. Previous coverage noted that a federal appeals court had upheld a ruling that the administration’s third-country policy was unlawful for denying due process, though the Supreme Court allowed deportations to continue pending a December hearing. The current dispute centers on the public disclosure of Diawara’s asylum records, which critics argue breaches federal confidentiality standards, while the administration frames the omission as a failure to expose immigration fraud.

How outlets are covering it

The New York Post and DHS emphasize the alleged 'fraud' in Diawara’s asylum application, with Percival highlighting the contradiction between his claimed homosexuality and his marriage to a woman. In contrast, The Daily Beast and immigration experts like David J. Bier focus on the illegality and danger of publicly releasing confidential asylum records, arguing that such disclosures violate privacy laws and endanger the individual. CBS News presents Diawara’s account of being forced back to Mali by Ghanaian authorities, framing the issue as a violation of international law and due process, while DHS maintains that Ghana provided 'diplomatic assurances' for his safety and that third-country deportations are necessary for public safety. The Daily Beast also notes that a married man may be gay or bisexual, challenging the administration’s characterization of the asylum claim as fraudulent.

Why it matters

The incident underscores ongoing legal and ethical debates over the Trump administration’s mass deportation policies and the handling of confidential immigration records. It raises concerns about the safety of deportees in third countries and the potential violation of privacy laws when government agencies publicly disclose sensitive personal information. The case also highlights the tension between federal enforcement actions and judicial rulings that protect individuals from persecution, with implications for international law and U.S. diplomatic relationships.

What to watch

Diawara’s attorney is awaiting a federal judge’s decision on the petition to return him to the U.S. The Supreme Court is expected to hear the case regarding the legality of third-country deportations in December. Meanwhile, the public disclosure of asylum records may lead to further legal challenges over privacy violations, and the administration may face increased scrutiny over its deportation practices and diplomatic assurances with third countries.