The Democratic Republic of Congo is reportedly in discussions with the Trump administration about accepting deportees from third countries — individuals who are not Congolese nationals but were living in the United States without legal authorization. Two government sources based in Kinshasa confirmed the talks to Reuters, alongside three United Nations sources and two diplomats briefed by U.S. officials.
This development reflects a broader strategy by the Trump administration to accelerate migrant removals through agreements with willing host nations. Rather than returning migrants solely to their home countries, Washington has been negotiating arrangements with third-party nations — particularly across Africa — to take in deportees. Countries including Ghana, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, and Eswatini have already participated in similar programs, though these deals have drawn sharp criticism from immigration lawyers and human rights advocates. Concerns center on the legal justification for such transfers and reports that some migrants were deported despite holding court-ordered protections in the U.S.
The Congo negotiations are unfolding alongside broader U.S. diplomatic efforts in the region, including peace talks between Congo and Rwanda and discussions over American access to Congolese critical minerals. Analysts see the deportation talks as potentially linked to these wider geopolitical and economic priorities.
Key details of any potential agreement remain unresolved. It is currently unknown how many migrants could be transferred, what their nationalities would be, or when deportation flights might begin. One source familiar with the matter suggested the plan could include South American migrants, possibly Venezuelans. What, if anything, Congo would receive in exchange has also not been disclosed.
The State Department declined to comment on the specifics, while Congo's presidential office had not responded to media inquiries at the time of reporting. No formal agreement has been reached.
