Rwanda’s government spokesperson Yolande Makolo addresses a news conference on the transfer of asylum seekers
Aug 29 – The first batch of seven migrants deported from the United States have arrived in Rwanda under a deal the African country reached with President Donald Trump’s administration.
Under the deal, Rwanda is expected to take a total of 250 migrants from the United States, a government spokesperson Yolande Makolo said in a statement on Thursday, weeks after the two countries reached the agreement.
“The first group of seven vetted migrants arrived in Rwanda in mid-August,” the statement said.
She gave no details about their nationalities, only explaining that three of the individuals have expressed a desire to return to their home countries, while four wish to stay and build lives in Rwanda.
“Regardless of their specific needs, all these individuals will receive appropriate support and protection from the Rwandan government.” she said
Rights groups have warned that such deportations could breach international law if people are sent to countries where they risk torture or other abuses.
U.S. President Donald Trump has taken a hardline approach toward immigration, aiming to deport millions of immigrants in the U.S. illegally and seeking to ramp up removals to third countries.
“Implementing the Trump Administration’s immigration policies is a top priority for the Department of State. We remain unwavering in our commitment to end illegal and mass migration and bolster America’s border security,” the spokesperson said.
In early August, Rwanda and the United States entered an agreement for Rwanda to take in up to 250 migrants, with Washington sending to Rwanda an initial list of 10 people to be vetted.
Rwanda has in recent years positioned itself as a destination country for migrants that Western nations would like to remove, despite concerns by rights groups that Kigali does not respect basic human rights.
The Trump administration says that third-country deportations help quickly 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 criticized 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.
Makolo said earlier this month that under the agreement reached with Washington, migrants deported to Rwanda would be provided with workforce training, healthcare, and accommodation.
On Thursday, Makolo said that those deported to Rwanda were accompanied by an international organization and receiving visits by the International Organization for Migration and Rwandan social services.
