Rwanda has agreed to accept illegal immigrants deported from the United States, following the Trump administration’s strategy to send deportees to third countries. Under the deal, Rwanda will take in up to 250 individuals and has the discretion to assess each deportee proposed for resettlement, according to government spokesperson Yolande Makoro.
Recently, the Department of Homeland Security announced the arrival of a “Third Country Deportation Flight” in Eswatini, South Africa. This flight included 13 men deemed dangerous criminals who were illegally residing in the U.S. and were sent back after South Sudan and Eswatini refused to accept them.
The U.S. is actively pursuing more agreements with African nations. A White House official stated that diplomatic discussions are ongoing with foreign countries willing to assist in addressing the issue of illegal immigration.
In addition to Rwanda, the U.S. has also sent hundreds of Venezuelans and others to countries like Costa Rica, Panama, and El Salvador. Earlier this month, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Trump administration, permitting the deportation of certain immigrants to countries outside of their original homelands.
It’s worth noting that in 2022, Rwanda made a deal with the UK to accept migrants who arrived there seeking asylum. However, this agreement fell through after the Labour Government came into power. Concerns have been raised regarding Rwanda’s human rights record and the safety of refugees. Furthermore, the UK Supreme Court determined in 2023 that the agreement was illegal, as Rwanda was not considered a safe third country for migrants.
