The Republic of Congo will begin receiving migrants deported from the United States as early as this month under a new third-country arrangement, according to a government statement released Sunday.
The Congolese Ministry of Communications described the agreement as a “temporary” humanitarian measure, emphasizing that the U.S. will bear all logistical costs associated with the transfers. While authorities did not disclose the number of deportees or specific arrival dates, officials said each case would undergo individual review in line with national laws and security requirements.
The deal places Congo among a growing list of African nations participating in Washington’s expanded deportation strategy, which involves sending migrants to countries other than their own. The Trump administration has already reached similar agreements with at least seven African states, including Eswatini, South Sudan and Equatorial Guinea.
According to a recent report by Democratic staff of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the U.S. has spent more than $40 million to relocate roughly 300 migrants through such arrangements.
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However, the policy has drawn increasing scrutiny from legal experts and human rights advocates. Critics argue that some deportees included in these programs have previously been granted protection orders by U.S. immigration courts, preventing their return to their countries of origin due to safety concerns.
Concerns have also been raised about the choice of partner countries, several of which have been criticized for repressive governance and weak human rights protections. Activists warn that migrants sent to unfamiliar third countries may face uncertain legal status, detention, or other risks.
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Despite the criticism, Congolese authorities maintain that the agreement reflects the country’s “commitment to human dignity and international solidarity,” stressing that there will be no automatic transfers and that all cases will be handled on an individual basis.
The arrangement signals a continued expansion of U.S. efforts to manage migration beyond its borders, even as debate intensifies over the legality and humanitarian implications of third-country deportations.
