The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has finalized an agreement to accept migrants deported by the United States who are not Congolese nationals. The policy, which takes effect this month, establishes a temporary reception system for those arriving from the US.
Kinshasa officials confirmed that the government has designated facilities within the capital to house the arrivals. According to a statement issued Sunday by the Ministry of Communication, the US government has committed to providing all necessary "logistical and technical support" for the program. The Congolese government asserted that it will bear no financial burden for the scheme.
A shifting landscape for regional migration
The DRC joins a growing list of African nations, including Ghana, Eswatini, and South Sudan, that have entered into similar arrangements with the Trump administration. The US has aggressively pursued these "third-country" deportation agreements as part of a broader crackdown on immigration.
In its statement, the Congolese government emphasized that the arrangement is not a permanent relocation mechanism or an attempt to outsource immigration policies. Officials further clarified that they have no plans to transfer these migrants to their home countries, citing concerns over potential persecution. The government framed the decision as an act of "international solidarity" and a commitment to protecting the rights of migrants.
While the DRC government did not specify the number of individuals expected under the deal, the program follows a broader trend in US foreign policy. A recent minority report from the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations estimated that the Trump administration has spent more than $40 million on third-country deportations through early 2026. The report noted that the US has provided over $32 million in direct funding to partners like Rwanda, Equatorial Guinea, and El Salvador to facilitate these transfers.
Human rights advocates have criticized the legality and ethics of the policy, arguing that it places vulnerable populations at risk. The US State Department and the Department of Homeland Security have not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the specific terms of the deal with Kinshasa.
This diplomatic agreement coincides with ongoing negotiations between Washington and Kinshasa regarding access to the DRC’s vast mineral reserves, including cobalt, lithium, and tantalum. The US has also sought to play a larger role in regional stability, recently facilitating a peace deal between the DRC and Rwanda, though implementation remains a hurdle for both nations.
