On April 17, 2026, approximately 15 Latin American migrants deported from the United States arrived in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, according to verified reports from multiple international news agencies. The group, which includes seven Peruvian nationals, was confirmed to have landed in the early hours of Friday by Alma David, the U.S.-based lawyer representing one of the deportees, in statements to The Associated Press.
The arrivals mark the latest instance of the U.S. Government utilizing migration agreements with African nations to expedite the removal of individuals under immigration enforcement, a practice that has raised concerns among human rights advocates regarding due process and migrant protections. All individuals in the group are from Latin America, and the Congolese government has stated they are expected to remain in the country for a brief period, as noted by David in her interviews with AP.
A spokesperson for the Congolese migration agency confirmed the arrivals but did not provide further details about the individuals’ identities or legal status upon entry. David emphasized that each deportee holds legal protection issued by U.S. Judges that prevents their return to their countries of origin, a factor complicating their legal situation despite the deportation.
The migrants are currently housed in a hotel in Kinshasa, where they have been receiving consular assistance. David reported that she has maintained communication with her client since their arrival and is coordinating with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to facilitate voluntary return options to their home countries, should they choose to pursue them.
The IOM, a UN-affiliated agency, has been engaged to offer “assisted voluntary return” support, though it did not immediately respond to requests for comment from AP at the time of reporting. David criticized the timing and framing of such offers, stating that presenting a “voluntary” return after prolonged detention in U.S. Immigration centers is deeply troubling, particularly when individuals have fought legal battles to avoid repatriation.
Among the group, seven individuals have been identified as Peruvian nationals through separate confirmation from Peru’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Andina news agency reported that Peru’s chancellery had been informed of the transfer of seven compatriots from U.S. Custody to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, prompting consular follow-up.
Peruvian officials have not disclosed the specific regions or circumstances surrounding the migration histories of the seven citizens but confirmed they are providing consular protection and monitoring their welfare in coordination with local authorities and international partners in Kinshasa.
The deportations occur amid heightened scrutiny of U.S. Immigration policies under the Trump administration, particularly regarding the use of third-country agreements to circumvent legal barriers to removal. Critics argue that such arrangements may violate international non-refoulement principles when individuals face risks upon return, even if indirect.
Legal representatives for the deportees have indicated that ongoing litigation in U.S. Courts continues to challenge the basis of their removal, with some cases involving claims of asylum eligibility or protection under the Convention Against Torture. No court rulings halting the deportations have been publicly confirmed as of mid-April 2026.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo has not issued a public statement detailing the terms of its agreement with the United States regarding the acceptance of deported migrants, nor has it clarified whether financial or diplomatic incentives are involved in the arrangement.
As of April 18, 2026, no further transfers of deported individuals to the DRC have been reported. The situation remains under observation by migrant rights groups, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, which have called for transparency regarding the legal basis of the transfers and the conditions faced by the returnees in Kinshasa.
For updates on consular assistance or official statements regarding the status of the deported migrants, readers are advised to consult the official websites of Peru’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the U.S. Department of State, and the International Organization for Migration.
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