DR Congo agrees to take deportees from the US

Officials confirmed that the Democratic Republic of Congo has agreed to welcome migrants deported from the United States who are not originally from the country, starting this month. The Ministry of Communication announced the creation of a temporary reception system, with designated facilities in Kinshasa, the capital. The US will provide “logistical and technical support,” according to a statement, while the Congolese government will cover no financial costs for the initiative.

US Deportation Strategy and Regional Impact

Washington has previously dispatched deportees to multiple African nations as part of its broader immigration enforcement efforts. DR Congo officials emphasized that no plans exist to repatriate individuals to their home countries, where some fear potential mistreatment. The decision to accept third-country migrants—those not from the sending or receiving nation—reflects the country’s dedication to human dignity and international solidarity.

DR Congo’s Commitment to Migrants’ Rights

Authorities clarified that the program is not a permanent relocation solution or a way to outsource migration responsibilities. This move aligns with DR Congo’s goal of safeguarding migrant rights, as outlined in official communications. The BBC has reached out to the State Department and Homeland Security for additional comments but has not yet received responses.

Financial and Policy Context

A minority report from the US Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee noted that the Trump administration has likely allocated over $40 million in third-country deportations by January 2026, though the exact total remains uncertain. The US has directly invested more than $32 million into five nations—Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, El Salvador, Eswatini, and Palau—to facilitate these deportations.

Regional Collaborations and Broader Trends

DR Congo joins other African states such as Eswatini, Ghana, and South Sudan in receiving deportees from the US. Recently, eight individuals from various African countries were sent to Uganda. This trend continues as the US enforces its strict immigration policies, which have seen dozens of deportations to third countries since January 2026.

Additional Agreements and Diplomatic Moves

Alongside accepting deportees, the US is finalizing a minerals agreement with DR Congo to access its rich reserves of cobalt, tantalum, lithium, and copper. Under Trump, the US also brokered a peace accord between DR Congo and Rwanda, though its execution faces ongoing challenges.

“Logistical and technical support” will be provided by the US, the statement on Sunday said, adding that the Congolese government would bear no financial cost for the scheme.

According to a minority report from the US senate’s committee on foreign relations, the Trump administration has “likely” spent more than $40m (£30m) in third-country deportations up to January 2026, although the total cost is “unknown”.

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