Deportees from South America are the first to be sent to the DRC in an agreement between Washington and Kinshasa
Published on 17 April 2026
Fifteen people deported from the United States have arrived in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The deportees landed in the capital Kinshasa on the night of Thursday to Friday under an agreement between the US and the DRC.
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“The first group, which includes seven women, is made up of Peruvian and Ecuadorian citizens,” a diplomatic source told Anadolu news agency.
The Associated Press news agency reported that an official from the DRC migration agency confirmed the arrival but did not provide details.
Alma David, a U.S. lawyer who represents one of the deportees, said all of the deportees are from Latin America, and the Congolese government plans to keep them in the country for short periods.
David told the AP that all deportees are believed to have legal protection from U.S. judges, which would protect them from returning to their home countries.
The DRC Communications Ministry announced earlier this month that it would temporarily accept migrants deported from the US.
It said Washington would cover the costs involved, and facilities near Kinshasa were prepared to accommodate them.
News agency Reuters reported that the DRC was scheduled to welcome more than 30 deportees this week. Other migrants are expected to arrive in groups of about 50 per month, the total number is unknown, the AFP news agency reported, citing sources.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said the DRC has asked the UN agency for humanitarian assistance for migrants.
“In addition to offering assistance based on needs and specific assessments, IOM can also offer voluntary return to migrants who request it, in line with its mandate and the applicable legal framework,” AFP reported.
deportation deals
Other countries in Africa, including Ghana, Rwanda, South Sudan and Uganda, have also accepted immigrants deported from the US.
The US policy has drawn criticism from rights groups over the legality of sending deportees to countries where they are not from and may face human rights violations.
In some cases, deportees have subsequently been returned to their home countries despite receiving legal protection from US courts to prevent this from happening.
The Trump administration is believed to have spent at least $40 million to deport about 300 migrants to third countries by the end of January. report Compiled by Democrats on the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Countries have received lump sums ranging from $4.7 million to $7.5 million to receive deported people.
The AP reported that 47 other third-country agreements are currently being negotiated with other countries.
