DRC Joins US Deportation Program

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has agreed to participate in the US third-country deportation program under the administration of President Donald Trump, marking a significant expansion of Washington’s migrant removal strategy.

Under the agreement, deportees from the US are expected to begin arriving in the DRC as early as this month, according to a statement from the Congolese Ministry of Communications. Officials did not disclose the number of individuals to be transferred.

The deal places the DRC among a growing list of African nations, including Eswatini, South Sudan, and Equatorial Guinea, that have entered similar arrangements with the US. The policy allows migrants who cannot be returned to their home countries, often due to legal protections or safety concerns, to be relocated to third-party nations.

Congolese authorities emphasized that transfers will not be automatic, stating that each case will undergo individual review in accordance with national laws and security considerations. The government also described the agreement as temporary, noting that all associated costs will be covered by the US, with no financial burden on the DRC.

Facilities have reportedly been prepared near the capital, Kinshasa, to receive incoming deportees.

The agreement has drawn criticism from human rights organizations, which argue that such arrangements risk sending vulnerable individuals to countries with documented governance and human rights challenges.

The deal also comes amid broader US engagement in Central Africa, including efforts to mediate tensions between the DRC and Rwanda, as well as strategic discussions aimed at securing access to critical mineral resources.

Congolese officials framed the agreement as part of the country’s commitment to international cooperation and humanitarian principles, even as debate continues over the implications of the policy.