Rwanda Welcomes First Group of US Deportees Under Bilateral Agreement

Rwanda has received its first group of seven migrants deported from the United States, marking the commencement of a bilateral agreement that allows for the transfer of up to 250 individuals. Yolande Makolo, a spokesperson for the Rwandan government, confirmed the arrival of this initial cohort in mid-August 2025.

Of the seven individuals, three have expressed a desire to return to their native countries, while the remaining four have chosen to establish their lives in Rwanda. The Rwandan government has committed to providing them with accommodation, essential medical care, and vocational training to facilitate their integration into Rwandan society. This agreement is part of a broader migration strategy that aims to deport undocumented migrants to third countries.

Rwanda is now one of four African nations that have entered into such deportation agreements with the United States, joining Uganda, Eswatini, and South Sudan. These arrangements have drawn scrutiny from international bodies, with the United Nations voicing significant concerns regarding deportations, particularly when individuals are sent to countries other than their places of origin. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has highlighted that this practice raises serious questions about fundamental human rights and due process.

In July 2025, eight men originating from South Sudan, Cuba, Laos, Mexico, Myanmar, and Vietnam were transferred to South Sudan. Concurrently, five individuals from Vietnam, Jamaica, Cuba, Yemen, and Laos were deported to Eswatini, where they have been placed in isolation within correctional facilities. These developments have ignited a global discourse on the implications of third-country deportations and their impact on the human rights and well-being of affected migrants. Critics argue that such policies may contravene international law by potentially exposing individuals to risks of torture or inhumane treatment in countries with which they have no prior connections.

The United States' approach involves vetting individuals before transfer, with Rwanda retaining the ability to approve each proposed resettlement. The nation's prior agreement in 2022 to accept migrants from the UK, though ultimately scrapped, had promised significant development assistance, hinting at the potential economic or diplomatic incentives that might underpin such bilateral arrangements.