Burkina Faso's military government has refused to take in deportees from the US as Washington suspended issuing visas in the West African nation.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré questioned if the embassy's decision was 'blackmail' after he said he had rejected an American proposal to take in migrants from third countries.
Donald Trump's administration has turned to African countries as a destination to deport migrants to as part of his crackdown on immigration.
The US State Department and Department of Homeland Security have been contacted for comment.
Burkina Faso's leader Capt Ibrahim Traoré styles himself as a pan-African champion, standing up to Western imperialism.
His military government seized power in a coup three years ago, and has had a frosty relationship with Western nations ever since.
Appearing on state broadcaster RTB, the foreign minister asked: 'Is this a way to put pressure on us? Is this blackmail? Whatever it is... Burkina Faso is a place of dignity, a destination, not a place of expulsion.'
He said he held a meeting with the US Embassy on Wednesday where he rejected the offer to accept deportees.
On Thursday, the US embassy in Burkina Faso's capital Ouagadougou announced the temporary pause on issuing various visas, redirecting residents to the embassy in Togo.
Traoré noted that he received a communication from the US explaining that Burkina Faso was put on a list of countries whose nationals failed to adhere to US visa regulations, referring to the US proposals.
While several African nations have accepted deportees from the US recently, Burkina Faso's stance remains firm as it declines to participate in the deportation process.
Traoré emphasized that the proposal to accept deportees is indecent and runs contrary to the principle of dignity.
