Photo of Dieuvain Musaghi in Unsplash
The Rwandan government confirmed to EFE and international agencies on Tuesday that it will take in up to 250 migrants deported from the United States, according to spokesperson Yolande Makolo. The agreement was signed in June 2025 in Kigali, as part of the bilateral migration agenda.
What does the agreement include?
Rwanda has approved each migrant proposed by the U.S. individually. It will only accept individuals without active criminal charges or child sex offenses.
In addition, deportees will receive support in the form of job training, medical care, and housing, to facilitate their integration into Rwandan society. In return, the U.S. will provide Rwanda with an undisclosed aid fund. with the possibility of expanding the number beyond the initial limit, if both parties agree.
Have you sent migrants to Rwanda before?
Rwanda was already part of a controversial plan with the United Kingdom in 2022 to process asylum applications on its territory, which was canceled after being declared unlawful by the British Supreme Court in 2023.
Countries such as South Africa and Eswatini also accepted deportees from the U.S. under this expanded immigration program promoted by the Trump administration.
In the case of South Sudan and Eswatini, some detainees (described as dangerous criminals) have already been sent, although the details of these agreements remain secret.
Rejection of politics
Activists and human rights organizations warn of potential rights violations, pointing to a lack of transparency and concerns for the safety of deportees (who have no ties to Rwanda and lack language or support networks).
In the US, the Democratic senator Tim Kaine introduced resolutions to force a vote on the program's humanitarian conditions.: detention conditions, legal rights, and financial agreements with countries such as Rwanda, Costa Rica, Panama, and Mexico.
Diplomatic closure
The agreement comes at a time of heightened diplomatic ties between the US, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Washington played a key role in the signing of a ministerial peace agreement between Rwanda and the DRC in June, paving the way for access to critical minerals in the region.
Analysts interpret Rwanda as seeking to consolidate its position as a strategic partner for the U.S., taking advantage of opportunities for military, economic, and diplomatic cooperation.
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