DR Congo Receives First Group of US Deportees

Sat Apr 18 2026 13:19:27 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Fifteen deportees from the US have landed in the Democratic Republic of Congo, marking the first group to be accepted under a controversial immigration deal.

The Democratic Republic of Congo has accepted its first group of deportees from the United States, consisting of fifteen individuals, primarily from South America. The Congolese government has stated that their status will be temporary and that they are receiving support funded by the US. This development occurs amid the US's ongoing crackdown on illegal immigration, with previous deportations to other African nations.

Fifteen people deported from the US, reportedly from South America, have arrived in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This marks the first group under a deal that sees the US expelling individuals to nations that have consented to accept them.

The government in Kinshasa affirmed that their stay is temporary, with Washington providing funding for their reception, support, and care. The US has previously sent deportees to several other African countries, including Ghana and South Sudan, as part of its crackdown on illegal immigration.

When the details of the deportation arrangement first surfaced, the Congolese government emphasized its commitment to human dignity and the protection of migrant rights. They stressed that this scheme is not an outsourcing of migration policies and does not constitute a permanent relocation mechanism.

The US State Department reiterated its dedication to halting illegal immigration while bolstering border security. Since President Trump took office, numerous individuals have been deported to third countries under a strict immigration strategy.

A government statement from Congo mentioned that the individuals are allowed entry under short-stay permits, according to foreign entry and residence laws. Reports from N'djili International Airport indicated that the deportees were mainly Colombians and Peruvians.

In a broader context, the US has facilitated various arrangements with nations like Equatorial Guinea and Rwanda while negotiating a minerals deal with DR Congo to tap into its abundant resources of cobalt, lithium, and copper.

This development unfolds amid ongoing peace talks between the Congolese government and Islamist groups, pushing for humanitarian access and an end to conflict in the eastern regions of DR Congo.