US will deport migrants to Rwanda via controversial arrangement

Following a crackdown on enforcing US immigration policy, the Trump administration has found a solution as to where their migrants will be deported to.

According to the Moroccan government friendly news source, The North Africa Post via Reuters, an agreement has been finalised between the US and Rwanda on August 4th, which will see up to 250 migrants in the US being deported to Rwanda – reinforcing Washington’s third-country deportation strategy.

This significant agreement was reached and signed in Kigali this June, as confirmed by a Rwandan official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, which was reported by Reuters.

The agreement holds significance as it depicts the Trump administration’s extreme approach to immigration policy. It also reflects their reliance upon third-countries to manage deportation. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has expressed his hard stance on immigration policy. In April, he stated that the US was “actively searching” for other countries to take in migrants. He specifically referred to them as “some of the most despicable human beings.” The US is currently looking for countries aside from Rwanda to finalise agreements with – they have attempted to send migrants to other countries, such as South Sudan or Eswatini.

The agreement follows Rwanda’s discontinued 2022 migrant agreement with the United Kingdom. Regarding the current deal with the US, Rwanda will only accept migrants who have concluded prison sentences, or those who do not face outstanding criminal cases. Those to be strictly excluded are child sex offenders.

To decide which specific migrants will be accepted, Rwanda plans to vet each case individually. They also have the option to extend the agreement to accept more than 250 migrants.

Government spokesperson, Yolande Makolo, has agreed that most Rwandan families have “experienced the hardship of displacement.” She also emphasised that “reintegration and rehabilitation are at the heart of our societal values.”

The migrants that will end up accepted under the scheme are to receive numerous benefits, including the receival of accommodation, healthcare, and workforce training. They also have the option to leave Rwanda at their own discretion, and will not be forced to remain. The US has agreed that they will cover the costs for these services through a grant at an undisclosed figure.

Whilst many have praised the deal for aiding global migration management, rights groups have expressed concerns over transparency and human rights protections. The agreement has come under scrutiny by several critics, who have stressed the ethical implications of the deal. They warn of the fact that deportees are likely to lack ties with others, struggle with language skills, and may also not receive adequate support.

The North Africa Post via Reuters, Maghrebi.org