Rwanda has signed an agreement with the United States to accept up to 250 migrants deported from the country, as part of the Trump administration’s efforts to ramp up removals to third countries. The deal, signed in June, allows Rwanda to approve each individual proposed for resettlement, with the US providing a grant to support the program. Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo said the country has experienced displacement hardships and values reintegration and rehabilitation, making it a suitable partner for this initiative.
Terms of the Agreement
Under the agreement, migrants sent to Rwanda will receive workforce training, healthcare, and accommodation support to help them restart their lives. The Rwandan government will have the final say on who can be resettled, and only those who have completed their prison terms or have no criminal case against them will be accepted. Child sex offenders will not be accepted under any circumstances. The US and Rwanda can mutually agree to extend the agreement beyond the initial 250 people ².
Controversy and Concerns
The deal has raised concerns about Rwanda’s human rights record, with critics arguing that the country may not provide a safe environment for migrants. This is not the first time Rwanda has been involved in such an agreement; in 2022, it signed a deal with the UK to accept asylum seekers, which was later scrapped by the new Labour government due to concerns over safety and human rights. The US Supreme Court has allowed the Trump administration to deport migrants to third countries without giving them a chance to show potential harm, but the legality of the removals is being contested in a federal lawsuit.
