A New Chapter for Deportees: South Americans Arrive in DR Congo Under US-DRC Agreement. Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo — April 17, 2026.
A first group of 15 Latin American migrants, predominantly from Peru and Ecuador, touched down in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), on the morning of April 17, 2026. Their arrival marks the culmination of an agreement between the U. S.
And the DRC, brokered under the auspices of the Trump administration’s third-country deportation policy. Upon arrival at Ndjili International Airport, the deportees were greeted by representatives from the Congolese government, who ensured their transfer to a temporary accommodation facility.
The United States has agreed to cover the costs of their stay, which is intended to be of a short duration.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has been tasked with providing humanitarian assistance to the deportees, including potential assisted voluntary return to their countries of origin if requested. This initial intake is part of a broader arrangement that could see up to 50 deportees per month arrive in the DRC, according to reports from the AFP news agency. This policy shift is seen as a strategic move by both countries, with the DRC facing its own internal challenges, including conflict and economic instability, which may have prompted its participation.
The Congolese Ministry of Communications has characterized the arrangement as a temporary measure, signaling no intent to alter long — term migration patterns.
As the DRC’s first experience with this kind of policy, the integration of the deportees into Congolese society and the adequacy of support systems are of significant concern.
The long — term implications for the DRC’s social and economic landscape, as well as the outcomes for the deportees themselves, remain uncertain.
As the IOM and the Congolese government navigate the complexities of this situation, local and international observers will undoubtedly monitor developments closely.
The future of these deportees and the broader implications of this agreement are set to be the subject of ongoing scrutiny.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 2*
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By This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: aljazeera
