Rwanda in Talks with U.S. to Potentially Receive Migrants Deported Under Trump-Era Policies
Rwanda is reportedly engaged in discussions with the United States regarding the possibility of accepting migrants deported under policies implemented during the Trump administration. The revelation comes as the U.S. government seeks to revive and expand efforts to address the complex issue of illegal immigration and mass migration at the border.
Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe confirmed the ongoing talks with the U.S. in a statement to state broadcaster Rwanda TV on Sunday. He emphasized that the discussions are still in their early stages and that no concrete agreement has been reached. "We have not yet reached a stage where we can say exactly how things will proceed, but the talks are ongoing," Nduhungirehe stated, according to Reuters.
A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department acknowledged the ongoing engagement with Rwanda, telling Fox News Digital on Monday that implementing the Trump administration’s immigration policies remains a top priority. The spokesperson emphasized the importance of working closely with partners and regional leaders to address the "crisis of illegal and mass migration."
The State Department spokesperson declined to provide specific details about the diplomatic communications with Rwanda, citing a policy against publicly discussing such matters. However, the acknowledgement of the talks confirms the U.S.’s interest in exploring potential partnerships to manage the flow of migrants.
The potential partnership between the U.S. and Rwanda raises several questions and concerns, given Rwanda’s human rights record. A 2023 State Department report on the human rights situation in Rwanda identified "significant issues," including credible reports of arbitrary or unlawful killings, harsh and life-threatening prison conditions, arbitrary arrest or detention, political prisoners or detainees, transnational repression, and arbitrary or unlawful interference with privacy.
These concerns are compounded by previous attempts to establish similar agreements with Rwanda. In 2022, the United Kingdom reached an agreement with Rwanda to accept thousands of asylum seekers. However, that deal was ultimately scrapped last year by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, highlighting the political and ethical challenges associated with such arrangements.
The U.S.’s interest in partnering with Rwanda is part of a broader effort to expand the options for managing migration flows. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently stated that the U.S. is actively seeking agreements with other countries to accept migrants, even those from third countries.
"We have gone to countries all over the world and said, ‘Hey, you want good relations with the United States, you need to take back your people that are here illegally.’ And we’ve had historic cooperation," Rubio explained at a Cabinet meeting last week. He added, "Beyond that, and I say this unapologetically, we are actively searching for other countries to take people from third countries."
Rubio’s comments suggest a willingness to consider unconventional and potentially controversial approaches to address the immigration issue. He explicitly stated that the U.S. is seeking to send "some of the most despicable human beings" to other countries as a "favor" to the U.S. He also expressed a preference for countries that are geographically distant from the U.S. to prevent migrants from returning across the border.
The remarks drew criticism from human rights organizations and advocates for immigrant rights, who raised concerns about the potential for abuse and the ethical implications of transferring vulnerable individuals to countries with questionable human rights records.
Despite these concerns, the U.S. government appears determined to pursue its efforts to find international partners willing to accept migrants. The engagement with Rwanda suggests that the U.S. is willing to consider a wide range of options, even those that may raise ethical and legal challenges.
The potential partnership with Rwanda also highlights the complex political dynamics surrounding immigration policy. Rwandan President Paul Kagame has previously expressed admiration for former President Trump’s "unconventional" approach to governance. "President Trump has an unconventional way of doing things, and I completely agree with him on many things," Kagame said in February.
Kagame’s remarks suggest a potential alignment of interests between the two countries on issues related to immigration and border security. However, it remains to be seen whether this alignment will translate into a concrete agreement on accepting migrants deported from the U.S.
The discussions between the U.S. and Rwanda are likely to continue in the coming weeks and months. The outcome of these talks will have significant implications for both countries, as well as for the broader issue of international migration management.
