Rwanda has confirmed it is in the “early stage” of discussions with the Trump administration regarding the potential acceptance of migrants deported from the United States, according to Foreign Affairs Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe.
The confirmation follows comments made last month by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who stated that Washington was “actively searching” for countries willing to receive “some of the most despicable human beings.”
Minister Nduhungirehe, speaking on Rwandan television on Sunday, said that such discussions were “not new to us,” referencing Rwanda’s previous agreement with the UK to accept deported migrants. That agreement, however, was abandoned by the UK after the Labour government, led by Sir Keir Starmer, took office last July, following numerous legal challenges.
Mr. Nduhungirehe emphasised Rwanda’s “spirit” of providing “another chance to migrants who have problems across the world.” He stated that talks with the US were ongoing, but that it was premature to predict their outcome.
Since assuming office in January, US President Donald Trump has prioritised the expedited removal of undocumented migrants, promising “mass deportations.”
In February, El Salvador offered to accept criminals deported from the US, including those with US citizenship, in exchange for a fee, housing them in its mega-jail. Panama and Costa Rica have also accepted migrants deported from the US.
Last week, an unnamed Rwandan official told the Washington Post that the country was “open” to accepting more migrants expelled from the US, having already received an Iraqi national in March. The official indicated that discussions with the US began shortly after President Trump’s inauguration.
Rwanda’s human rights record has been subject to criticism, with concerns raised about the potential for those sent to the country to be deported again to places where they may face danger. However, the Rwandan government maintains that it is a safe haven for refugees.
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