Rwanda Engages in Preliminary Talks with the US on Deportation Deal
Rwanda has initiated discussions with the United States about a potential agreement to accept immigrants deported from the US. According to Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe, these talks are still in the early stages, with no definitive course of action yet determined. The announcement came amid reports of the US seeking international partners to manage deportations.
Previously, the US deported an Iraqi man with alleged ISIS ties to Rwanda, marking the beginning of this potential partnership. President Donald Trump has emphasised his intention to execute the largest deportation operation in US history, citing the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to justify the deportations without due process. This includes targeting individuals with alleged criminal records as well as student activists and legal immigrants, leading to ongoing legal challenges in American federal courts.
In recent years, Rwanda has attempted to establish itself as a destination for deported migrants from Western countries. A prior agreement with the UK in 2022 to accept asylum seekers was halted by British and European courts, citing human rights concerns. Despite these setbacks, Rwanda continues to engage in discussions with the US, with the UN refugee agency warning of possible risks of migrants being returned to their countries of origin.
The Tories spent £700m of taxpayers money to send just 4 volunteers to Rwanda.
— Yvette Cooper (@YvetteCooperMP) July 22, 2024
It is the most shocking waste of taxpayers money I have ever seen.
Instead of gimmicks we need hard graft. Labour will boost our border security instead. pic.twitter.com/Qn7NYkQPsU
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer cancelled the UK-Rwanda agreement in 2024, after the scheme proved financially unsustainable, costing the UK £700 million with only minimal participation. The Rwandan government remains hopeful about forming a similar agreement with the US, though it assures that the deportees will not be unjustly returned to their original countries.