A new arrangement between Kinshasa and Washington is set to see the Democratic Republic of Congo take in migrants removed from the United States, even when those individuals are not Congolese nationals, according to officials who confirmed the agreement has already begun this month.
The move comes as the country rolls out temporary reception measures in its capital to manage incoming deportees under the partnership.
Authorities in Kinshasa said specific locations have been identified to host arrivals, with a system put in place to receive and process them on a temporary basis. The Ministry of Communication explained that the plan includes coordination between the two governments, with the United States expected to offer “logistical and technical support” while the Democratic Republic of Congo covers no financial costs linked to the operation.
Officials did not provide details on the number of migrants expected under the arrangement. The policy forms part of broader efforts by Washington to relocate deported individuals to third countries as it tightens its immigration enforcement strategy.
Concerns have been raised in some quarters about whether deportees could later be sent on to their countries of origin, especially in situations where they may face risks. However, Congolese authorities dismissed such possibilities, stating that no transfers of that nature are planned under the current agreement.
The government explained that accepting third-country migrants reflects its stance on human dignity, regional cooperation, and safeguarding the rights of migrants. At the same time, officials stressed that the initiative should not be interpreted as a long-term settlement programme or a shift of migration management responsibilities to Kinshasa.
The United States State Department declined to discuss specific diplomatic exchanges but maintained that the United States remains firm in its “commitment to end illegal and mass immigration and bolster America's border security”. The approach has been a central feature of the administration led by Donald Trump, which has increased deportations to third countries since taking office.
Criticism from rights groups has followed the policy, with questions raised about its legal grounding and the treatment of affected migrants. Despite this, the United States has continued to expand partnerships with countries willing to receive deportees.
The Democratic Republic of Congo now joins several African states participating in similar arrangements, including Eswatini, Ghana, and South Sudan. In a recent case, eight migrants from different African nations were deported to Uganda.
A report from a minority group within the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations estimates that the Trump administration may have spent more than $40 million on deportations involving third countries up to January 2026, although the full cost remains unclear. The report also indicates that over $32 million has been directly allocated to five countries, including Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, El Salvador, Eswatini, and Palau.
Beyond migration, discussions between Washington and Kinshasa are also focused on economic cooperation. The two sides are exploring a minerals deal that would give the United States access to key resources found in the Democratic Republic of Congo, including cobalt, lithium, tantalum, and copper.
At the same time, the United States has been involved in efforts aimed at easing tensions between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, including supporting a peace agreement, though implementation of that deal has faced delays.