Around 15 Latin American migrants were deported from the United States and arrived in Congo's capital, Kinshasa, early Friday. The deportees are believed to have legal protection from U.S. judges shielding them against being returned to their home countries, according to Alma David, a U.S.-based lawyer representing one of the migrants.
Key Takeaways
The United States deported around 15 Latin American migrants to Congo's capital, Kinshasa, under a new agreement with Washington. These deportees are believed to have legal protection in the U.S., and the Congolese government plans to keep them temporarily while offering 'assisted voluntary return' through the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
- Around 15 Latin American migrants deported from the US arrive in Kinshasa.
- Migrants are believed to have legal protection against deportation under U.S. law.
- The Congolese government plans temporary stay and individual reviews of each case.
- The Trump administration has spent at least $40 million on third-country deportations since 2017.
- Critics raise concerns over the legality and human rights implications of these agreements.
The deportation is part of a new agreement between Washington and Kinshasa under the Trump administration's third-country program. The Congolese government plans to keep them in the country for a short period, with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) involved to offer 'assisted voluntary return,' David told AP News. The deportees are believed to be staying at a hotel in Kinshasa.
The Trump administration has spent at least $40 million to deport about 300 migrants to countries other than their own, according to a report released recently by the Democratic staff of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Lawyers and activists have raised questions over the nature of these deals with African nations that have notoriously repressive governments and poor human rights records.
The Congolese Ministry of Communications described the arrangement as 'temporary' and reflecting Congo's commitment to human dignity and international solidarity, according to Los Angeles Times. The statement said no automatic transfer of the deportees is planned, adding that each situation will be subject to individual review in accordance with the laws of the Republic and national security requirements.
The U.S. has struck similar third-country deportation deals with at least seven other African nations, many of them among countries hit hardest by the Trump administration's policies restricting trade, aid, and migration. Critics have raised concerns over the legality and human rights implications of these agreements.
According to BBC, the deportees are mostly Colombians and Peruvians who arrived at N'djili International Airport in Kinshasa during the early hours of Friday morning. The Congolese government has stressed that their stay is temporary, with short-stay permits issued under national legislation concerning the entry and residence of foreigners.
The U.S. State Department stated its unwavering commitment to ending illegal immigration and bolstering America's border security but did not comment on diplomatic communications with other governments. The Trump administration has deported dozens of people to third countries since January 2017 as part of its hard-line approach towards immigration.
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