DR Congo to Accept US Deportees Under New Agreement

Mon Apr 06 2026 15:11:07 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

The Democratic Republic of Congo has entered into an agreement to accept deportees from the United States who are not Congolese citizens, enhancing its commitment to international solidarity and migrant rights.

Effective this month, DR Congo will receive migrants deported from the US who aren't from the country. This move includes a commitment to human dignity and international support, with the US providing logistical assistance without costs for the Congolese government. Concerns about the humane treatment of migrants are highlighted, as the country joins others in accepting deportees amid ongoing critiques of US immigration policies.

The Democratic Republic of Congo has agreed to accept migrants deported from the US who are not themselves Congolese under a deal effective from this month, officials said.

The Ministry of Communication stated that a temporary reception system has been set up, with facilities for arrivals selected in the capital, Kinshasa.

According to the announcement on Sunday, logistical and technical support will be provided by the US, with the Congolese government bearing no financial cost for the initiative.

The government did not disclose how many deportees they would accept. The US has already sent deportees to various other countries in Africa as part of Washington's crackdown on immigration.

Amid concerns that migrants could be returned to countries where they might face persecution, Congolese officials affirmed that such transfers are not planned.

This decision to receive what are termed third-country migrants aligns with DR Congo's commitment to human dignity and international solidarity, a statement revealed.

Nonetheless, the authorities clarified that this scheme is not intended as a permanent relocation mechanism or outsourcing of migration policies.

The BBC has reached out to the State Department and Department of Homeland Security in Washington for comment but has yet to receive a response.

Since Donald Trump’s administration took office, the US has been deporting individuals to third countries as part of a stringent immigration policy.

Human rights advocates have criticized this stance, questioning its legality. DR Congo is now joining other African nations, such as Eswatini, Ghana, and South Sudan, in receiving deportees from the US.

Recently, eight individuals from various African countries were deported to Uganda.

According to a minority report from the US Senate's Foreign Relations Committee, the Trump administration has likely spent over $40 million so far on third-country deportations, although total costs remain uncertain.

The US has also provided direct assistance to five countries, totaling over $32 million.

In addition, the US is negotiating a minerals deal with DR Congo to access the country’s vast reserves of key metals including cobalt, tantalum, lithium, and copper.

While the Trump administration has facilitated a peace agreement between DR Congo and Rwanda, the implementation remains fraught with challenges.