The Burundian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced the government’s commitment to receiving undocumented Burundian migrants expelled from the United States. Foreign Affairs Minister Albert Shingiro made the statement on Monday during a press conference, emphasizing the need to uphold human rights throughout the deportation process.
“This morning, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation Ambassador Albert SHINGIRO received in audience the Ambassador of the United States of America to Burundi Mrs. Lisa Peterson. Their discussions focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in the context of the new American administrative structure under the leadership of the new President of the United States Donald Trump,” said the Burundian ministry of foreign affairs in a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter. “The issue of Burundians living illegally in the United States of America was also on the agenda.”
“It’s Donald Trump’s policy. You understand that we also cannot exclude ourselves or remain indifferent and refuse to allow Burundians to return to their own country,” Shingiro said.
Minister Shingiro expressed the government’s willingness to receive the returnees while stressing the importance of human rights. “I told the U.S. Ambassador that we cannot oppose their new political direction. However, in deporting individuals, human rights must be respected,” he said.
The minister did not provide an exact number of Burundians affected by the deportation policy, stating that he had not yet received the specific figures but promised to communicate them once available.
During the press conference, Minister Shingiro also reacted to the latest U.S. measures aimed at reducing financial aid to certain countries. He urged Burundians to take this as a lesson in self-reliance.
“Does Burundi pay taxes in America? Their cessation of aid is a warning for us to work harder, increase our productivity, and become self-reliant without depending on external assistance,” said Burundi’s top diplomat.
According to a list published by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency, nearly 1.5 million immigrants are set for deportation, including 462 Burundians as of November 2024. Among East African nations, Somalia has the highest number of undocumented migrants facing deportation, with over 4,000 individuals, followed by Kenya with approximately 1,282. South Sudan has the lowest figure, with 136 migrants identified for deportation.
This latest policy shift follows an executive order by the new Trump administration suspending the entry of all undocumented migrants into the U.S., effectively halting the processing of asylum seekers and other migrants.
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