DRC Joins Uganda in Hosting US-Deported Third-Country Migrants

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is reportedly in talks with the United States over receiving deportees from other countries, potentially expanding Washington’s “third-country deportation” strategy in Africa.

This follows Uganda’s recent agreement with the US, under which eight individuals of African origin were returned from the United States for protection assessment in Uganda.

According to Congolese government sources and UN officials, the talks with the DRC are intended to host migrants who entered or remain in the US without authorization.

“The arrangements are often negotiated quietly, with limited public detail on their scope or terms,” a report indicated.

The discussions coincide with US efforts to implement a peace agreement between DR Congo and Rwanda and an agreement ensuring U.S. access to Congolese critical minerals.

A source at the UN’s International Organization for Migration said the plan could include migrants from South America, potentially Venezuelans.

Also Read: Uganda Receives First Deportees from U.S. Under New Migration Deal

Both the US State Department and the Congolese presidency declined to comment on the discussions.

Legal Concerns

Human rights advocates have raised concerns about third-country deportations.

Some migrants have been forcibly returned despite having court-ordered protections in the US meant to prevent such outcomes.

“Some of the migrants have been forced home despite receiving court-ordered protection in the U.S. meant to prevent that from happening,” noted observers.

Legal experts have criticized the practice, arguing that sending individuals to countries where they are not nationals raises serious questions about compliance with international law.

Uganda’s Precedent

Uganda’s agreement with the US, signed in July 2025, specifically targets third-country nationals of African origin who are neither US nor Ugandan citizens.

The Ugandan Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, “The Governments of the Republic of Uganda and the United States of America (USA) signed an Agreement for Cooperation in the Examination of Protection Requests in July 2025… the Agreement conforms to Uganda’s national laws and international obligations.”

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The Ministry further clarified, “As the Ministry clarified after the agreement was signed, it is in respect of third country nationals or individuals who are neither citizens of Uganda nor the USA, but of African origin.”

Uganda emphasized that protections such as the principle of non-refoulement remain central to the arrangement, ensuring no one is returned to a country where they would face harm.

The first eight individuals under this agreement arrived in Uganda on April 1, 2026. “Consistent with this bilateral agreement, a set of eight (8) people, whose case had been reviewed and approved by a USA immigration judge, arrived in Uganda from the USA on April 1, 2026,” the statement read.

Privacy and Humanitarian Commitment

Uganda also stressed that the identities of the returned individuals remain confidential, citing privacy concerns: “Privacy-wise, their information may not be disclosed.”

The government insisted that this new initiative does not change Uganda’s overall refugee policy, maintaining its historic commitment to sheltering displaced populations with dignity.

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