Former President Donald Trump’s repeated allegations that the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Congo are emptying their prisons to send violent criminals to the US border as migrants have been refuted by both governments. Patrick Muyaya Katembwe, the spokesperson for the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Serge Mombouli, the Republic of Congo’s ambassador to the US, have categorically denied these claims.
Trump’s assertions lack any factual basis, according to a CNN fact check. Both pro-immigration and anti-immigration organizations in the US, along with experts on the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Congo, have found no evidence to support Trump’s claims. Furthermore, a CNN search of two media databases and federal figures revealed no significant influx of Congolese migrants, let alone former prisoners.
Despite the lack of evidence, Trump continues to make these unfounded claims as part of his criticism of President Joe Biden’s immigration policies. However, human rights organizations monitoring the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Congo have found no evidence to support these claims.
Even if there had been a mass release of prisoners, it would not substantiate Trump’s claim about a significant population of Congolese former prisoners arriving at the border. Official federal data shows that Congolese migrants, not specifically ex-prisoners, represent a minuscule fraction of overall arrivals.
Trump’s claims about “the Congo” are part of a series of unsubstantiated allegations he has made over the years, suggesting that various foreign countries are intentionally sending undesirable individuals to the US as migrants. These claims have evolved over time, becoming more dramatic and colorful, but have consistently lacked evidence or specific sources.