JoCo advocates discuss pending deportation of Bolivian man to the Congo

On May 7, 2026

The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa denied Iowa City resident José Yugar-Cruz a request for immediate release from detention on April 27, according to court documents.

Yugar-Cruz, of Bolivia, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, officers during a check-in on April 8 because the federal government had ordered his removal from the United States to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Yugar-Cruz is one of a number of individuals who are at risk of being deported to a country not of their origin.

In the early stages of his second term, President Donald Trump promised to carry out a large-scale deportation mission. His “One Big Beautiful Bill,” or H.R.1, supported this initiative with over $170 billion in funding to the Department of Homeland Security and its agency, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

In 2026, deportees not only face removal from the United States, but also being taken to countries not of their ethnic origin. This includes one of the most destabilized countries in central Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo, or DRC, according to the Council on Foreign Relations.

The DRC’s government, which agreed to temporarily host these deportees, is one of a few African countries on the third-party list, including South Sudan and Eswatini.

Yugar-Cruz fled persecution in Bolivia and applied for asylum in July 2024, according to court documents.

Yugar-Cruz later remained in ICE detention during his pending legal proceedings before being released from custody by a court order in late 2025, and officially discharged on Jan. 7, 2026.

However, Yugar-Cruz was later re-detained by ICE in April 2026 when the federal government moved forward with plans to deport him. The removal was then put on an emergency block by U.S. District Judge Stephen H. Locher while the court reviewed the legality of the action.

Johnson County immigration advocates and residents from the DRC decry the attempt to deport Yugar-Cruz and other immigrants to the country.

Escucha Mi Voz community organizer Miguel Torres described the policy as “crazy,” because Yugar-Cruz has no connections to the DRC and will ultimately have to start from scratch.

Torres said Escucha Mi Voz has worked against Yugar-Cruz’s possible deportation and has filed a petition, as well as a protest at the Linn County jail for his release.

Torres believes that things may only improve once people in power change, and hopes that local leaders in Iowa will support their immigrant populations.

“Local government investing in deportation defense would be a way to prevent some of these sorts of cases from happening,” he said. “It’s something we tried to ask for at a recent county budget hearing.”

Jean Paul Makambu serves as a pastor at Glory Tabernacle Ministries in North Liberty and a human rights consultant for the U.S. Institute of Diplomacy and Human Rights. Makambu is from Kinshasa, the capital of the DRC.

Makambu is not in favor of sending deportees to DRC due to the serious security challenges the country has faced, primarily with rebel groups such as the M23, which have seized eastern cities like Goma.

“Sending immigrants into such conditions exposes them to real danger and instability. Safety cannot be guaranteed, and this raises serious humanitarian concerns,” he said. “At the same time, both Congo and the United States need stronger commitments to human rights, security, and fair immigration policies that respect the dignity of every individual.”

Makambu said immigrant communities and supporters can use lawful approaches to raise awareness of social injustices through advocacy campaigns or peaceful protests. He reminded Congolese immigrants to work with experienced and qualified attorneys if they are dealing with immigration obstacles.

“Legal guidance is essential in navigating the system and protecting your rights during these difficult times,” he said.

Iowa Congolese Community President and immigrant education navigator, Ines Kande, said that it is important for people to understand that this is a completely legal and temporary process. Kande believes the bilateral agreement may be part of broader efforts to strengthen U.S. and DRC relations.

“They are working on other things, like minerals, security, and regional politics, which we know DRC really needs,” Kande said. “The only thing Congo needs is a push, and as people, we want to see a change in this country.”

On Dec. 4, 2025, the U.S. and DRC governments signed an agreement that would allow U.S. companies access to critical Congolese minerals in exchange for security and economic development.

Despite having 70 percent of the world’s cobalt and being one of the most mineral-rich countries in the world, DRC has endured centuries of suffering through colonialism, resource exploitation, and ethnic conflicts.

According to the United Nations Refugee Agency, over 6 million people in the DRC are internally displaced. With a population of over 110 million, DRC had a recorded GDP per capita of only $871.25 in 2025.

Kande understands the concerns that people may have due to the ongoing insurgencies happening in the eastern provinces of North and South Kivu. However, she said the deportees are being taken to Kinshasa, which is approximately 1,000 miles away from where most of the turmoil is.

On April 17, Reuters reported that the first round of deportees had been taken to a hotel in Kinshasa.

As for the Congolese community, Kande encourages them to be optimistic, connected, and informed by reliable legal professionals during the uncertainty of domestic U.S. immigration issues.

“I’m an immigrant, too, so I may understand what they’re going through right now, but I want them to know during this time that they are not alone,” she said. “This is a heavy moment, but don’t let that define us or define our journey. Our community, all immigrants, and just everybody, let’s stay strong and let’s support each other.”

Clinton Dimambu, of Iowa City, has been in the U.S. since 2015 and is the founder of Sympathi’s House Foundation, a nonprofit based in western DRC that helps individuals and families in need of food and healthcare.

Dimambu also helps orphanages and hospitals in Kinshasa and said he has worked with Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi’s administration to improve the conditions of the DRC.

Dimambu hopes people understand that Kinshasa is much safer than other parts of the DRC as these deportations take place.

“We see all this fighting, but we will soon solve it,” he said.

He urges the Congolese community to organize against hatred and fear of strangers in the U.S. Dimambu draws inspiration from events hosted by Escucha Mi Voz that have gathered hundreds of Latino-Americans to support each other.

“We need to find a way to be united. If we are looking for change,” Dimambu said. “I am a man of change. The men who want to see us moving forward.”

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