Latin American deportees from the US arrive in DR Congo

Fifteen migrants from South America deported by the United States have arrived in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), marking the latest development in Washington's controversial third-country deportation policy.
The group landed on Friday in the capital, Kinshasa, under a bilateral arrangement between the two governments. According to diplomatic sources, the first cohort — comprising seven women and eight men — includes nationals of Peru and Ecuador.

An official from the Congolese migration agency confirmed the arrivals but declined to provide further details. Legal representatives for some of the deportees say all individuals in the group are from Latin America and are expected to remain in the DRC only temporarily.

Alma David, a US‑based lawyer representing one of the migrants, stated that the deportees had previously received legal protections from American courts preventing their return to their countries of origin. Despite this, they were transferred to a third country under the current policy.

Earlier this month, the DRC's communications ministry announced it would temporarily accept migrants deported from the United States, with Washington covering associated costs. Authorities also indicated that facilities had been prepared near Kinshasa to house the arrivals.

Reports suggest this may be the first of several such transfers. More than 30 deportees were expected in the same week, with additional groups of around 50 migrants per month anticipated, though the total number remains unclear.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said it has been approached by the DRC government to provide humanitarian assistance. The agency noted it could also facilitate voluntary returns for migrants who request it, in line with international legal frameworks.

Other African countries, including Ghana, Rwanda, South Sudan, Uganda, Eswatini, Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea, have also entered agreements to receive deportees from the US.

The policy has drawn criticism from human rights organisations, which question the legality and ethics of transferring migrants to countries where they have no prior ties and may face risks. In some cases, deportees have ultimately been returned to their home countries despite court orders intended to prevent such outcomes.

According to a report by Democrats on the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the Trump administration spent at least $40 million to deport roughly 300 migrants to third countries by the end of January. Payments to recipient countries reportedly ranged from $4.7 million to $7.5 million.

The Associated Press has also reported that dozens of additional third-country agreements are currently under negotiation.

Edited by CGTN Africa Reporter, Halligan Agade