Rwanda joins U.S. deportation network as first migrants arrive

Rwanda has become the third African country to begin receiving deportees from the United States under a controversial “third-country” resettlement agreement launched by the Trump administration.

Seven non-Rwandan migrants arrived in Kigali in mid-August,marking the start of a U.S.-Rwanda pact that allows for up to 250 deportees to be relocated to the East African nation. Government spokesperson Yolande Makolo confirmed the arrivals,stating that each case was vetted prior to acceptance. Three of the individuals have requested to return to their countries of origin,while four have opted to stay and build new lives in Rwanda. They are currently housed by an international organization under the supervision of Rwanda’s social services and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

The deal is part of a broader U.S. strategy that includes similar agreements with South Sudan,Eswatini,and more recently Uganda. Critics say the arrangements offload U.S. migration responsibilities onto smaller nations with fewer resources and limited human rights oversight. While Kigali frames the agreement as a humanitarian gesture aligned with its own history of displacement,rights groups remain skeptical. Rwanda,praised for its stability but criticized for its suppression of dissent,had a previous migrant deal with the United Kingdom scrapped in 2024. Now,its growing cooperation with Washington raises questions about the balance between diplomacy,economic incentives,and ethical responsibility.