DR Congo Accepts First Batch of U.S. Deportees from South America

Fifteen individuals, expelled from the United States and originating from South America, have reached the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo). This marks the initial group of deportees under an agreement with Washington, which DR Congo has committed to accept. The Kinshasa government emphasized that these individuals will remain temporarily, with the U.S. covering expenses related to their accommodation, sustenance, and welfare.

The U.S. has previously sent migrants to other African nations, such as Ghana, South Sudan, and Eswatini, as part of its immigration enforcement strategy. In early discussions about the agreement, the Congolese government highlighted that accepting third-country migrants—those from neither the sending nor receiving nation—reflects its dedication to upholding human dignity and fostering international solidarity. Officials also clarified that the initiative is not a long-term relocation plan or a transfer of migration responsibilities.

US Focus on Immigration Control

The U.S. State Department noted that, although it refrained from elaborating on diplomatic exchanges with other nations, the administration remains steadfast in its resolve to curb illegal and mass immigration and strengthen border security. Since Donald Trump’s presidency began in early 2017, the country has deported hundreds of individuals to third countries, as part of a stricter immigration policy.

“The individuals concerned are admitted to the national territory under short-stay permits, in accordance with national legislation concerning the entry and residence of foreigners,” a Congolese government statement said on Friday, without additional specifics.

A source at N’djili International Airport, where the group arrived late Thursday, revealed that most of the deportees were Colombians and Peruvians. A minority report from the U.S. Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee indicated that the Trump administration has allocated over $40 million in third-country deportations up to January 2026, though the exact figure remains unclear. The U.S. has also given more than $32 million directly to five nations: Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, El Salvador, Eswatini, and Palau.

Strategic Ties and Conflict Resolution

Additionally, the U.S. is in talks about a minerals agreement with DR Congo, aiming to access its abundant reserves of cobalt, tantalum, lithium, and copper. During Trump’s tenure, the U.S. helped broker a peace accord between DR Congo and Rwanda, though implementation has faced hurdles. Recent negotiations held in Switzerland, facilitated by the U.S. and Qatar, resulted in agreements to allow humanitarian aid, protect civilians and infrastructure, and monitor a permanent ceasefire in eastern DR Congo.

Rwanda has consistently denied backing the M23 rebels, asserting its military presence is a defensive measure against threats from armed groups in DR Congo. The Congolese government and Rwanda-backed M23 leaders have both expressed willingness to cooperate on these terms.

Additional reporting by Richard Kagoe. Follow BBC Africa on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa, or on Instagram at bbcafrica for more updates from the African continent.