The Department of Homeland Security has deported approximately 15 illegal aliens from Latin America to the Democratic Republic of Congo, as part of a bilateral agreement that allows the U.S. to send third-country nationals to African nations when their home countries refuse repatriation or when migrants successfully block removal by claiming their lives would be in danger at home.

The group arrived in Congo’s capital, Kinshasa, early Friday.

An official at the Congolese migration agency confirmed the arrivals to the Associated Press but provided no further details.

U.S. attorney Alma David, who represents one of the deportees, told the Associated Press the migrants are all from Latin America and that the Congolese government plans to keep them in the country for a short period. David said she has been in contact with her client since the arrival.

The deportations are part of the Trump administration’s expanded “Safe Third Country” removal policy.

This approach bypasses legal maneuvers commonly used by migrants who persuade immigration judges that returning to their home country would be unsafe. The policy also addresses cases where countries such as India, China, Vietnam, and Laos refuse to accept their own nationals, particularly those with criminal records.

According to reporting, the Trump administration has now secured agreements with at least seven African nations, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Rwanda, South Sudan, Uganda, Eswatini, and Equatorial Guinea.

Additional deals are under negotiation with more than 40 countries worldwide.

Migrants have previously been sent to Ghana, Rwanda, South Sudan, and Uganda under similar arrangements.

Reuters reported earlier this week that Congo was preparing to accept between 37 and 45 deportees in the initial group, though the confirmed number that arrived was around 15. The Congolese government has described the arrangement as temporary and has stated that the United States will cover all logistical costs.

The policy was revived after the Biden administration canceled several similar Safe Third Country agreements established during Trump’s first term in 2021.

Congressional Democrats have criticized the program, noting in February that the administration had spent roughly $40 million to deport about 300 migrants to third countries.

Administration officials view the strategy as an effective tool that pressures detained migrants to agree to voluntary repatriation to their home countries rather than risk being sent to distant, unfamiliar locations in Africa.

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