Deported South American migrants in DRC say they're being pressured to return home despite torture risks

Context The United States recently deported fifteen South American migrants, including individuals from Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador, to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This action occurred under a "third-country agreement," a policy that allows the US to send migrants and asylum seekers to a nation other than their country of origin. These agreements, notably increased under the Trump administration, have drawn criticism from human rights advocates. Critics point to the practice of deporting individuals to unfamiliar nations, some of which present human rights concerns or active conflicts.

Key Facts The group of fifteen migrants, who arrived in the DRC last week, now states they face significant pressure to accept repatriation to their original homelands. They report limited options beyond returning, despite their expressed safety concerns. A 29-year-old Colombian woman, part of the deported group, confirmed feeling coerced into returning to Colombia, irrespective of personal risks. This specific case follows a US immigration judge's May 2025 finding that she would likely be tortured if returned to her home country, according to court records.

What It Means This situation underscores ongoing debates surrounding US immigration enforcement and its international agreements. Advocacy groups argue that such third-country removals serve to intimidate migrants and asylum seekers. The objective, they contend, is to prompt individuals to abandon their asylum claims and agree to return to their countries of origin, even when documented risks to their safety exist. The future treatment and options presented to these fifteen individuals in the DRC will remain a focal point. This development also prompts continued examination of the broader impacts of such policies on human rights and international asylum law.