U.S. in talks with Congo over third-country migrant deportations

Two government sources in Kinshasa told Reuters that negotiations were ongoing but no agreement had been reached, with key issues, including the number of migrants, their nationalities and possible compensation, still unresolved.

The discussions reflect a bigger U.S. policy shift towards so-called third-country deportations, where migrants are sent to countries other than their own when direct returns are difficult.

Similar arrangements have already been explored with several African states, as the U.S. seeks to ease pressure on its immigration system.

Some of the migrants under consideration could come from South America, including Venezuela, a person familiar with the matter said.

The talks are unfolding alongside renewed U.S. engagement in Central Africa, including efforts to stabilise relations between Congo and Rwanda and to secure access to critical minerals such as cobalt, a key component in electric vehicle batteries and global energy supply chains.

However, the policy has drawn criticism from legal experts and human rights groups, who argue that deporting people to countries where they are not nationals raises serious legal and ethical concerns, particularly in cases involving individuals with protection orders in the United States.

Details of the proposed arrangement remain unclear, and there is no timeline for when deportations could begin. U.S. officials declined to comment on the discussions, while Congo’s presidency has not issued a public response.

The development highlights Africa’s increasing role in global migration management, even as many countries on the continent face mounting economic pressures of their own.