Burundi to Accept Some US Third-Country Deportees

Burundi has agreed to accept some people deported by the United States to countries other than their countries of origin, according to Nancy Ninette Mutoni.

Mutoni said in an interview with France 24 that Burundi’s president had announced the decision. She said the agreement would apply only to people who are not facing criminal prosecution and have no links to terrorism.

Arrangements being prepared

Mutoni said preparations were underway to provide accommodation and help the deportees live in local communities. She described the process as requiring serious planning.

Burundi has not disclosed how many people it has agreed to receive or when they are expected to arrive. No details were provided on the identities or nationalities of the potential deportees.

Mutoni said Burundi had long welcomed people facing hardship. She also said the arrangement could strengthen cooperation with other countries, adding that Burundi placed importance on peace and good relations.

US policy faces international concern

The agreement comes as the Trump administration expands third-country deportations as part of its immigration crackdown. The administration has defended the policy as necessary when the countries of origin of deportees refuse to accept them.

The United States Supreme Court has allowed third-country deportations to continue while a formal ruling on the policy remains pending.

UN experts have warned that sending migrants to countries where they are not from can have deadly consequences and have called for the practice to be halted.