The United States (US) and Rwanda have agreed for the African country to accept up to 250 migrants deported from America.
This comes as President Donald Trump’s administration takes a hardline approach toward immigration.
The agreement, first reported by Reuters, was signed by US and Rwandan officials in Kigali in June, said the Rwandan official, speaking on condition of anonymity, adding that Washington had already sent an initial list of 10 people to be vetted.
“Rwanda has agreed with the United States to accept up to 250 migrants, in part because nearly every Rwandan family has experienced the hardships of displacement, and our societal values are founded on reintegration and rehabilitation,” says the Rwandan Government spokesperson, Yolande Makolo.
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“Under the agreement, Rwanda has the ability to approve each individual proposed for resettlement. Those approved will be provided with workforce training, healthcare, and accommodation support to jumpstart their lives in Rwanda, giving them the opportunity to contribute to one of the fastest-growing economies in the world over the last decade.”
The White House and State Department had no immediate comment. The Department of Homeland Security referred questions to the State Department.
President Donald Trump aims to deport millions of immigrants in America illegally and his administration has sought to ramp up removals to third countries, including sending convicted criminals to South Sudan and Eswatini.
Rwanda has, in recent years, positioned itself as a destination country for migrants that Western countries would like to remove, despite concerns by rights groups that Kigali does not respect basic human rights.
In May, the foreign minister said Rwanda was in the early stages of talks to receive immigrants deported from the US.
The Trump administration argues that third-country deportations help swiftly remove some migrants, including those with criminal convictions.
Immigration hardliners see third-country removals as a way to deal with offenders who cannot easily be deported and could pose a threat to the public.
Opponents have criticised the deportations as dangerous and cruel, since people could be sent to countries where they could face violence, have no ties and do not speak the language.
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