Burundi Agrees Third-country Deportation Deal With US

Burundi has agreed to accept migrants deported from the United States under Washington’s third-country deportation policy, joining several other African countries that have entered similar arrangements. However, Burundian authorities said they would only accept people who have not been accused of crimes or links to terrorism. While the government provided no figures on the number of deportees, timing, or financial terms, officials revealed that preparations are underway to determine accommodation, living conditions, and integration into local communities. They also noted that citizenship could be possible under Burundian law for those who contribute to national development. The arrangements have drawn criticism from rights groups, which argue that third-country transfers can circumvent legal protections obtained by some migrants in US immigration courts.