The first group of migrants deported from the United States under a new bilateral agreement has arrived in Kinshasa, according to Reuters sources.
The group, made up of around 15 to 16 people from countries including Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador, landed early Friday after a long flight that originated in Louisiana and included stopovers in Senegal and Ghana.
This marks the first time so-called “third-country” deportees—people not originally from Congo—have been sent to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The move follows an agreement announced earlier in April between Washington and Kinshasa, part of a broader U.S. strategy to accelerate deportations by partnering with African nations.
Although more than 30 migrants were initially expected, the final number appears lower, possibly due to last-minute legal interventions by U.S. judges.
Upon arrival, the migrants were reportedly granted short-term visas of about seven days, potentially extendable to three months, allowing them to move freely.
However, officials warned them about security risks and discouraged applying for asylum in Congo, which is dealing with ongoing conflict and a fragile asylum system.
The long-term fate of the deportees remains unclear, and rights concerns have been raised over sending migrants to countries where they have no direct ties.
