The Congolese government and legal representatives for some deportees confirmed that over half of the 15 Latin Americans expelled to Congo in April under policies from the Trump administration have made their way back to their home nations. These deportations are part of broader arrangements made with at least eight African countries. U.S. immigration judges believed these individuals were at risk of facing hardships if returned to their own countries.
America’s agreements with various nations have led to thousands being sent to foreign lands they do not belong to, according to advocates. Lawyers argue this is used by the administration as a means to indirectly force asylum seekers back home. Alma David, a U.S.-based lawyer representing one deportee, stated that eight of them have recently returned to their respective countries. Her client, a Colombian woman, described the difficult conditions and instability she faced in Congo during an interview. Currently, she remains in Congo.
Another Colombian, Adriana Maria Quiroz Zapata, is still in Congo despite a federal judge’s order for her to be brought back to the U.S. She was deported even as Congo initially refused her entry due to issues with providing medical care. Four Peruvian nationals and three Colombians were able to go back earlier this week with the help of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), a U.N.-connected agency. David mentioned that these individuals used the IOM’s Assisted Voluntary Return program, which covers travel and logistics for migrants who opt to return voluntarily. U.S. federal courts had granted them protection against being sent back to their native lands, citing likely persecution.
David expressed concerns about the migrants choosing to go back despite these protections, questioning if they felt pressured due to lack of alternatives. The IOM emphasized that such returns are voluntary, rooted in informed consent. Recently, a Colombian man managed to return independently.
The Congolese government described these developments as part of a transitional and temporary process. Further departures are anticipated as the arrangement progresses. A separate event saw legal cases brought against Equatorial Guinea, accusing the country of violating deportees’ rights by sending them back inappropriately.
Associated Press writer Saleh Mwanamilongo in Bonn, Germany contributed additional information to this report.
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