DR Congo Accepts First Deportees from the United States Amid Controversy

Sat Apr 18 2026 22:09:12 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

The Democratic Republic of Congo has received its first set of deportees from the United States, part of a contentious immigration policy under the Trump administration. This group marks a significant moment in U.S. efforts to manage immigration.

Fifteen deportees from the U.S., primarily from South America, landed in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Congolese government emphasizes that their stay will be temporary, with Washington financing their care. This is part of the U.S.'s broader crackdown on illegal immigration, which has previously seen deportations to other African nations. The Congolese government affirms its commitment to human dignity amidst the ongoing immigration policy shifts.

Fifteen people deported from the US, who are reportedly from South America, have arrived in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

This is the first group of an unknown number of deportees that the US has expelled, which the DR Congo has agreed to take in.

The government in Kinshasa has stressed that their stay in the country is only temporary and that Washington is funding 'their reception, support, and care.'

The US has already sent deportees to several other African countries, including Ghana, South Sudan, and Eswatini, as part of the crackdown on immigration.

Earlier this month, when details of the deportation deal first emerged, the Congolese government said the decision to receive third-country migrants, those who come from neither the sending nor receiving nation, aligns with its commitment to human dignity and protecting the rights of migrants.

The Congolese authorities also emphasized that this scheme is not a permanent relocation mechanism or an outsourcing of migration policies.

The US State Department has been firm in its commitment to end illegal and mass immigration while bolstering border security.

Since President Trump took office, the US has deported dozens of individuals to third countries as part of its strict immigration approach.

A statement from the Congolese government indicated that those admitted to the national territory would do so under short-stay permits, per national laws regarding foreign entry and residency.

Reports from N'djili International Airport suggest that the deportees primarily consist of Colombians and Peruvians.

According to a minority report from the US Senate's foreign relations committee, the Trump administration has spent over $40 million on third-country deportations up until January 2026, but the total cost remains unclear.

The US has allocated more than $32 million directly to several other countries including Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, El Salvador, Eswatini, and Palau.

Additionally, the US is negotiating a minerals deal with the DR Congo to gain access to its vast reserves of crucial metals such as cobalt, tantalum, lithium, and copper.

Under Trump, the US has facilitated a peace deal between DR Congo and Rwanda, though challenges persist in its execution.

Recent negotiations between the Congolese government and Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have shown progress, with both parties committing to allowing humanitarian aid, protecting civilians, and monitoring a ceasefire.

Rwanda has repeatedly denied claims of supporting the M23, asserting that its military presence serves as a defense against threats from armed groups in DR Congo.