The Democratic Republic of Congo has agreed to accept migrants deported from the US who are not themselves Congolese under a deal effective from this month, officials said.

The Ministry of Communication stated that a temporary reception system has been established, with accommodations selected in the capital, Kinshasa.

According to the announcement, the US will provide logistical and technical support, and the Congolese government will incur no financial costs for the initiative.

The exact number of deportees to be accepted has not been disclosed. The US has already begun sending deportees to various African countries as part of its ongoing crackdown on immigration.

To address concerns about the safety of returning migrants to their home countries, Congolese officials clarified that such transfers are not planned. This aligns with the nation's commitment to uphold human dignity, international solidarity, and protect migrants' rights.

The Congolese government emphasized that this arrangement is not a permanent relocation mechanism nor a way to outsource migration policies.

Despite the deadline, the BBC has reached out to the US State Department and Department of Homeland Security for comment but has not yet received a response.

The Trump administration has been noted for deporting numerous individuals to third countries as part of its strict immigration policies, drawing criticism from human rights advocates who question the legality of these actions.

DR Congo joins other African nations such as Eswatini, Ghana, and South Sudan who are participating in receiving deportees from the US.

Recently, eight individuals from various African nations were deported to Uganda, showcasing the ongoing trend.

Reports suggest the Trump administration may have spent more than $40 million on third-country deportations since January 2026, but the total remains uncertain. More than $32 million has been allocated directly to countries such as Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, El Salvador, Eswatini, and Palau.

Additionally, negotiations are underway for a minerals deal that would deepen US access to DR Congo's extensive reserves of essential metals like cobalt, tantalum, lithium, and copper.

Under President Trump, the US has also facilitated a peace deal between DR Congo and Rwanda, though its implementation continues to face challenges.