Rwanda Verifies Initial Discussions With US About Taking in Deported Migrants

Rwanda has announced initial discussions with the US regarding the acceptance of deported migrants, reflecting a similar agreement with the UK that has since been discarded.

Olivier Nduhungirehe, Rwanda’s Foreign Affairs Minister, has confirmed that the East African nation is currently in the initial phases of discussions with the Trump administration regarding the acceptance of migrants deported from the United States.

The announcement follows US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s disclosure last month that Washington was “actively searching” for nations prepared to accept individuals he referred to as “some of the most despicable human beings.”

During a broadcast on Rwandan television this past Sunday, Nduhungirehe emphasized that the negotiations were not without precedent. “This is not new to us,” he stated, alluding to Rwanda’s earlier agreement with the United Kingdom to accept deported migrants — a deal that was subsequently abandoned after the Labour Party came to power under Prime Minister Keir Starmer in July.

Nduhungirehe emphasized that Rwanda is steadfast in its humanitarian commitment. “We are embracing the opportunity to offer another chance to migrants facing challenges around the globe,” he stated. He also mentioned that the current discussions with the US are still in the initial stages, making it premature to forecast their results.

Since his return to the White House in January, President Donald Trump has prioritized immigration enforcement as a key focus of his administration. He has committed to “mass deportations” and expedited the removal of undocumented migrants nationwide.

Rwanda is not the sole nation interacting with the US regarding this issue. In February, El Salvador proposed to accept deported criminals, including those with US citizenship, in return for a fee. President Nayib Bukele announced that the deportees would be accommodated in the nation’s mega-prison facility.