Burundi has officially agreed to participate in the US government’s controversial program of sending “third-country deportees” to nations where they may have no prior ties. This arrangement aligns the East African nation with about half a dozen other countries currently accepting individuals deported under Donald Trump’s immigration policies.
Nancy Ninette Mutoni, a spokesperson for President Évariste Ndayishimiye, clarified that Burundi will restrict entry to those who are not suspected of criminal activity or affiliations with terrorist organizations. While the announcement did not provide specific figures, timelines, or financial arrangements, authorities are currently coordinating preparations for the housing and integration of these individuals. “Receiving them requires serious planning – where they will stay, what they will eat and how they will live alongside the local population,” Mutoni stated.
The policy remains a point of significant contention, as many deportees had previously secured legal protections from US immigration courts against repatriation. Senate Democrats have raised concerns over the transparency and costs of these deals, which critics argue are designed to circumvent legal safeguards, often leaving migrants in indefinite detention abroad. Mutoni indicated that if relocated individuals integrate and contribute to national development, the country intends to respect the law regarding potential pathways to citizenship. “If they choose to join Burundian citizens and make a valuable contribution to national development, the law will be respected,” she said, regarding potential citizenship.
While Burundi officials described the initiative as an effort to offer hospitality to those in need and foster stronger diplomatic ties, the US State Department did not immediately comment on the agreement. A spokesperson for the Burundi foreign ministry noted that full details regarding the terms of this deal remain unavailable.
