The Department of Homeland Security has deported approximately 15 illegal aliens from Latin America to the Democratic Republic of Congo, as part of a bilateral agreement that allows the U.S. to send third-country nationals to African nations when their home countries refuse repatriation or when migrants successfully block removal by claiming their lives would be in danger at home.
The group arrived in Congo’s capital, Kinshasa, early Friday.
An official at the Congolese migration agency confirmed the arrivals to the Associated Press but provided no further details.
U.S. attorney Alma David, who represents one of the deportees, told the Associated Press the migrants are all from Latin America and that the Congolese government plans to keep them in the country for a short period. David said she has been in contact with her client since the arrival.
The deportations are part of the Trump administration’s expanded “Safe Third Country” removal policy.
This approach bypasses legal maneuvers commonly used by migrants who persuade immigration judges that returning to their home country would be unsafe. The policy also addresses cases where countries such as India, China, Vietnam, and Laos refuse to accept their own nationals, particularly those with criminal records.
According to reporting, the Trump administration has now secured agreements with at least seven African nations, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Rwanda, South Sudan, Uganda, Eswatini, and Equatorial Guinea.
Hellbound and Down 