Story perspectives

U.S. Judge Blocks Deportations, Leaves Migrants Stuck in DRC

5/16/2026

Summary

Story summary

A U.S. judge barred the return of a Colombian woman and fourteen other migrants, leaving them trapped in a hotel near Kinshasa, DRC.
President Donald Trump’s administration employs third-country agreements that bypass due-process protections for asylum seekers.
Congolese human-rights groups call the detention arbitrary and a breach of refugee law.
The International Organization for Migration gives limited aid as deportees suffer poor food, restricted movement and no clear asylum path.

1 of 1

Story summary

A U.S. judge barred the return of a Colombian woman and fourteen other migrants, leaving them trapped in a hotel near Kinshasa, DRC.
President Donald Trump’s administration employs third-country agreements that bypass due-process protections for asylum seekers.
Congolese human-rights groups call the detention arbitrary and a breach of refugee law.
The International Organization for Migration gives limited aid as deportees suffer poor food, restricted movement and no clear asylum path.