Nine out of fifteen illegal immigrants deported from the United States to the Democratic Republic of Congo in April have returned to their home countries. This information was confirmed by Congo’s government, a migrant, and her lawyer.

Background of Deportation

The group of fifteen migrants arrived in Congo on April 17, following a bilateral agreement with the Trump administration. This agreement, announced two weeks prior to their arrival, involved Congo accepting third-country deportees from the United States.

Congo’s government released a statement indicating that “more than half” of the migrants have returned to their respective countries, with others expected to follow “shortly.” A Colombian migrant currently in Kinshasa, along with her lawyer, confirmed that nine migrants have left, including four Peruvians and five Colombians. The remaining migrants in Congo include three Colombians and three Ecuadorians.

Assistance and Legal Concerns

It remains unclear whether the migrants returned voluntarily. The Colombian migrant mentioned that seven of them received assistance from the International Organization for Migration, a U.N. agency, while the other two departed independently.

Previously, Reuters reported that some migrants had been granted legal protection in the U.S. due to the likelihood of facing persecution if returned. However, it is not verified whether any of the nine migrants who returned had such protections.

Criticism of Deportation Agreements

Similar deportation agreements between the U.S. and other countries have faced criticism from legal experts and rights groups. Concerns have been raised regarding the legal basis for these transfers and the treatment of deportees sent to countries where they are not nationals.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.