Rwanda's ongoing negotiations with the Trump administration may reshape its refugee landscape, as discussions intensify around taking in deported individuals from the US.
Rwanda Engages in Discussions with US on Migrant Resettlement
Rwanda Engages in Discussions with US on Migrant Resettlement
Rwandan officials confirm dialogues with the US regarding the potential acceptance of deported migrants.
Rwanda's Foreign Affairs Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe has revealed that the country is in the initial stages of negotiations with the Trump administration to accept migrants deported by the United States. This announcement follows US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's assertion that the government is actively seeking nations willing to harbor what he described as "some of the most despicable human beings." Nduhungirehe emphasized Rwanda's longstanding commitment to providing a "second chance" for migrants facing dire circumstances worldwide.
He noted that these discussions are not unprecedented, as Rwanda had previously reached an agreement with the UK to accept migrants before the scheme was scrapped due to legal hurdles after the Labour Party, under Sir Keir Starmer, assumed power last July. During a recent interview on Rwandan television, the minister stated that while talks with the US are in progress, it is premature to forecast their outcome.
Since President Donald Trump took office in January, there has been a pronounced push for expedited deportations of undocumented immigrants, with promises of "mass deportations." In a related context, El Salvador recently offered to accommodate criminals deported from the US, including citizens, in exchange for a fee, while Panama and Costa Rica have also accepted deported migrants.
A Rwandan official revealed to the Washington Post that the country remains open to receiving more deported individuals following the acceptance of an Iraqi migrant earlier this year. This development has stirred conversations about Rwanda's human rights record, with concerns raised about the possibility of those deported facing threats if sent to other nations. Nonetheless, Rwanda maintains that it is a secure haven for refugees, insisting on its commitment to humanitarian efforts amidst shifting geopolitics.
