Even if the migrants are not Congolese, the Democratic Republic of Congo will accept them.According to the government, it already has a temporary system of reception. The authorities have selected Kinshasa facilities to accommodate the new arrivals.
The United States is providing technical and logistical assistance, according to officials. The Congolese government has said that it will bear no financial responsibility under the agreement.
There is no plan to return migrants to their home countries
However, the government has not revealed how many migrants it intends to deport. Officials addressed the concerns regarding possible forced return to migrants’ countries of origin.
The agreement was described by the authorities as being part of Congo’s commitment to international co-operation and human dignity. The authorities also stressed the importance of protecting migrant’s rights.
It is not a permanent migration policy
Officials from the Congo have clarified that this scheme is only temporary. The officials said that the scheme is not a permanent relocation strategy, nor does it outsource migration policies.
The US State Department has avoided making direct statements about the deal. It reiterated its strong position on border security, reducing illegal migration and tightening the borders.
As Part of a Broader US Deportation Strategy
Donald Trump, since returning to office in 2017, has implemented a strict policy on immigration. The administration of Donald Trump has deported immigrants to a number of third-country countries.
Included are nations from Africa and elsewhere. Eswatini Ghana and South Sudan are also countries that have agreed to accept deportees.
Costs and criticism
Experts question whether deportations to third countries are in accordance with international law.Reports from the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee suggest that by the beginning of 2026, the US government will have likely spent more than $40 million to deport these people. The exact amount is still unknown. Rwanda, El Salvador and Equatorial Guinea are among the countries that have received aid.
Deals are driven by strategic interests
This country has vast reserves of cobalt and other key minerals like copper, tantalum, lithium, and copper.The US also helped to broker a deal for peace between Congo and Rwanda. Implementing this agreement is still difficult.
