Under an expanding immigration policy led by U.S. President Donald Trump, Burundi has agreed to accept foreign deportees removed from the U.S. The East African nation joins a growing group of African countries participating in third-country deportation arrangements with Washington.
- Burundi has agreed to accept foreign deportees from the US under an expanding immigration policy by President Donald Trump.
- The agreement only covers individuals without criminal records or terrorist ties.
- Details such as financial arrangements, timelines, and total numbers of deportees have not been disclosed.
- Burundian authorities state they’re preparing for the arrival and integration of deportees.
However, Burundian authorities emphasized that the agreement applies exclusively to individuals who have no record of criminal activity or connections to terrorist organizations.
Burundi joins other African nations to accept third-country deportees from the U.S.
The government of Burundi disclosed the general agreement, though specific arrangements regarding financial terms, exact timelines, and total deportee numbers remain unannounced.
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Spokesperson Nancy Ninette Mutoni, representing Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye, stated that Burundi aimed to “both strengthen diplomatic relations and provide hospitality to people in need“.
While the U.S. State Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment, critics in the U.S., including Senate Democrats and human rights advocates, have expressed strong concerns regarding similar third-country transfers.
Human right organizations point out that these international deals allow the U.S. government to circumvent legal protections previously granted to migrants by American immigration courts.
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How Burundi plans to house and integrate deportees sent from the U.S.
Burundian officials are currently preparing for the arrival and community placement of incoming deportees.
Presidential spokesperson Nancy was reported by Reuters to have said that “receiving them requires serious planning — where they will stay, what they will eat and how they will live alongside the local population“.
She further noted that individuals who integrate smoothly and contribute to the nation could eventually obtain citizenship under Burundian law, stating, “If they choose to join Burundian citizens and make a valuable contribution to national development, the law will be respected“.
