Congo to Receive Deportees from Third Countries Under New U.S. Agreement

The Democratic Republic of Congo will take in migrants as part of a new third-country agreement with the U.S. government.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 3:37pm

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The Democratic Republic of Congo will receive migrants as part of a new third-country agreement with the U.S. government, according to the Associated Press. The details of the agreement are still being finalized, but it is part of the U.S. government's efforts to deport migrants to other countries rather than holding them in detention centers.

Why it matters

This new agreement with the DRC is part of a broader U.S. policy shift to deport migrants to third countries rather than detaining them domestically. The move is controversial, as it raises questions about the rights and treatment of migrants being sent to countries that may not have the resources or infrastructure to properly care for them.

The details

The Associated Press reports that the specifics of the agreement between the U.S. and the DRC are still being worked out, but it will involve the DRC accepting migrants who were attempting to enter the U.S. The U.S. has made similar agreements with other countries in recent years as it seeks to reduce the number of migrants held in American detention facilities.

  • The new agreement between the U.S. and the DRC was announced on April 5, 2026.

The players

Democratic Republic of Congo

A central African country that has agreed to accept migrants deported from the United States under a new third-country agreement.

United States Government

The U.S. government has made this new agreement with the DRC as part of its efforts to deport migrants to other countries rather than holding them in American detention facilities.

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The takeaway

This new agreement between the U.S. and the DRC highlights the ongoing challenges around immigration policy and the treatment of migrants globally. As the U.S. seeks to reduce its own migrant detention population, it is shifting the burden to other countries that may not have the resources to properly care for these individuals.