Rwanda in Talks with US to Accept Deported Immigrants, Following Scrapped UK Deal

Rwanda has confirmed it is in preliminary discussions with the United States to accept immigrants deported from the country, according to Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe, Al Jazeera reports.

The announcement comes less than a year after a similar controversial agreement between Rwanda and the United Kingdom was deemed unlawful and ultimately scrapped.

“It has not yet reached a stage where we can say exactly how things will proceed, but the talks are ongoing,” Nduhungirehe told state broadcaster Rwanda TV on Sunday. “Still in the early stages.”

The confirmation follows reports in US media citing unnamed officials from both countries indicating that discussions were underway. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly stated that the administration of President Donald Trump is actively seeking countries to accept deported immigrants, including those who entered the US without proper documentation and other non-citizens. Libya is also reportedly being considered as a potential destination.

According to reports, the US is considering paying Rwanda to accept migrants with criminal records who have completed their sentences in the US. The plan would potentially involve integrating the migrants into Rwandan society with stipends and job assistance to prevent them from returning to the US.

In March, the Trump administration reportedly deported an Iraqi national to Rwanda in what could serve as a model for future transfers.

These efforts align with President Trump’s continued crackdown on immigration, which has been a central focus of his administration. The administration has faced legal challenges in its attempts to deport accused gang members to a maximum-security prison in El Salvador without due process.

Amid the controversy surrounding the wrongful deportation of a Salvadoran citizen living in Maryland to El Salvador, Trump reportedly expressed interest in deporting “homegrown criminals” to the country, suggesting US citizens. He has also directed the opening of a detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to house up to 30,000 individuals he has described as the “worst criminal aliens.”

Echoes of Scrapped UK Deal and Concerns

Rwanda’s history with similar agreements raises significant questions. The country previously had an agreement with the United Kingdom to accept migrants expelled by the British government, but the plan faced numerous legal challenges and was ultimately deemed unlawful by the UK Supreme Court in November 2023. The Labour government, upon taking office, terminated the deal in July, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer calling it a “gimmick.” Rwanda is reportedly still seeking 50 million pounds ($66 million) in payments from the UK over the cancelled agreement.

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has raised serious concerns about the safety of individuals sent to Rwanda, warning that some could be returned to countries from which they had fled and could face dangers, including death.

Rwanda has denied these allegations and accused the UNHCR of spreading misinformation.