The Democratic Republic of the Congo has received its first group of migrants deported from the United States under a new third-country relocation arrangement, officials confirmed. Fifteen individuals reportedly from South American countries such as Colombia and Peru arrived in Kinshasa early Friday via N’djili International Airport. They are the first known arrivals in what could become a broader deportation program, though authorities have not disclosed how many people may ultimately be transferred. The Congolese government said the migrants were admitted on short-term permits and stressed that their stay would be temporary. Officials added that the US government is covering the costs of their reception, accommodation, and care. Kinshasa also emphasized that the agreement is not a long-term resettlement plan or an outsourcing of US migration policy.
The deportations form part of a wider immigration crackdown under Donald Trump, whose administration has expanded the use of third-country transfers. Similar deportations have already been carried out to several African nations, including Ghana, South Sudan, and Eswatini. A report from the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee estimates that Washington may have spent over $40 million on third-country deportations as of early 2026, though the full cost remains unclear. The report also notes that more than $32 million has been directly allocated to countries participating in such arrangements.
Congolese authorities have defended the decision as consistent with international solidarity and migrant protection principles, though critics question the transparency and long-term implications of the policy. The development comes as the US deepens its strategic engagement with DR Congo, including negotiations over access to key minerals such as cobalt, lithium, copper, and tantalum resources, critical to global technology and energy industries. At the same time, Washington has been involved in diplomatic efforts to stabilize eastern Congo. Recent talks involving the government and the Rwanda-linked M23 rebel group mediated by the US and Qatar have produced tentative commitments to allow humanitarian aid, protect civilians, and work toward a ceasefire. Rwanda has repeatedly denied backing the rebels despite ongoing allegations.
