Burundi Agrees to Take US Deportees — What It Means for You
Burundi has agreed to accept migrants deported from the United States — including people who have never set foot in Burundi. Rights groups say these third-country deportation deals let the US government bypass protections that immigration courts already granted to specific individuals, sending them to countries where they have no ties and no legal status.
What if you were deported to a country you have never visited, where you have no family, no language, and no legal status? That is the reality for people sent under the US government's third-country deportation deals — and Burundi just became the latest country to sign on.
Burundi's presidential spokesperson Nancy Ninette Mutoni announced on Tuesday that the country agreed to receive migrants deported from the United States. The deal covers people who are not accused of crimes or terrorism. Mutoni said Burundi is planning housing, food, and community integration for those who arrive. She added that people who contribute to national development may eventually be considered for citizenship under Burundian law. No numbers, no timeline, and no financial terms were released. The US State Department did not respond to requests for comment, and Burundi's foreign ministry said details of the agreement were not yet available.
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Why This Matters If You Are in Removal Proceedings
Burundi joins roughly half a dozen other African nations that have accepted third-country deportees under deals with Washington. Rights organizations say these arrangements allow the US government to bypass legal protections that immigration courts granted to specific individuals — including orders that blocked their deportation to their home countries. In many documented cases, people who had won legal protection in US immigration court were still removed to third countries under these deals and held there indefinitely. Senate Democrats have said the deals have cost tens of millions of dollars, though the agreements remain largely opaque.
If you are currently in removal proceedings — meaning an immigration judge is deciding whether you can stay in the US — this development is directly relevant. A deportation order to your home country does not automatically protect you from being sent to a third country instead. Lawyers who specialize in deportation defense say the legal basis for these transfers is being challenged, but the transfers are still happening.
What to Do
- If you have an open immigration court hearing, attend every scheduled date. Missing a hearing can result in an automatic removal order issued in your absence.
- If an immigration judge has already granted you protection — such as withholding of removal or relief under the Convention Against Torture — ask your attorney whether that order covers third-country removal, not just removal to your home country.
- If you do not have a lawyer, contact a nonprofit immigration legal services organization. Many provide free or low-cost help to people in removal proceedings.
- Document your ties to the US: family, employment, length of residence. This information matters at every stage of your immigration court hearing.
Related: our step-by-step guide — “Your Rights During an ICE Encounter”.
Fishkin Law Firm, New York
Third-country removal deals create a serious gap in protection for people who won withholding of removal or Convention Against Torture relief in US immigration court — those orders are country-specific and may not prevent transfer to Burundi or another third country. If you have an existing court order, your attorney should immediately file a motion clarifying that the order bars removal to any country, not just your country of origin. Anyone currently detained or in removal proceedings should consult an immigration attorney before their next hearing date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the US deport me to Burundi if I have never been there?
Yes, under third-country deportation agreements, the US government has been sending people to countries they have no connection to. Rights groups are challenging these transfers legally, but they are still occurring. If you are in removal proceedings, talk to an immigration lawyer about your specific situation.
Does a court order protecting me from deportation cover third-country removal?
Not automatically. Orders like withholding of removal or Convention Against Torture relief are typically written to block removal to a specific country — usually your home country. They may not cover removal to a third country like Burundi. Ask your attorney to review the exact language of your order.
What happens if I miss my immigration court hearing?
If you miss a scheduled immigration court hearing, the judge can issue a removal order in your absence. This is called an 'in absentia' order. It is very difficult to reopen your case after that. Always attend every hearing, even if you feel your situation is hopeless.
Burundi said it will only accept people not accused of crimes. Does that protect me?
Burundi's spokesperson said the country will not accept people accused of crimes or terrorism. However, the details of the agreement are not yet public, and the US State Department has not confirmed the terms. Do not rely on this condition as a guarantee — speak with an immigration attorney about your individual case.