Burundi has agreed to join a handful of other African nations in receiving migrants deported from the United States under Donald Trump's hardline immigration policy. The announcement was made by Nancy Ninette Mutoni, spokesperson for President Évariste Ndayishimiye.

According to Mutoni, Burundi will only accept individuals not accused of crimes or terrorism links. However, Tuesday's announcement provided no details on numbers, timing, or financial arrangements.

Washington has sent so-called "third-country deportees" to about half a dozen African nations and many other countries, often where they have no ties, have never been, and find themselves detained indefinitely under opaque deals that Senate Democrats say have cost tens of millions of dollars.

In many cases, deportees had secured legal protections from US immigration courts against repatriation. But rights groups say the third-country deals allow the US to circumvent those protections.

Mutoni said preparations were underway to arrange accommodation, living conditions, and integration into local communities. "Receiving them requires serious planning – where they will stay, what they will eat and how they will live alongside the local population," she said.

She added that if they choose to join Burundian citizens and contribute to national development, the law will be respected. Burundi aims to strengthen diplomatic relations and provide hospitality to people in need, the spokesperson noted.

The US State Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment, while a spokesperson for Burundi's foreign ministry said details of the agreement were not yet available.

Source: www.theguardian.com