By Ollus Ndomu
The Rwandan government has confirmed that it is in preliminary discussions with the United States regarding a controversial agreement that would see Rwanda accept migrants deported from U.S. soil, including individuals who are not Rwandan nationals.
Speaking during a televised press briefing on Tuesday, Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe said the talks were “ongoing” and still “in early stages,” with the two governments working to finalize key components of the deal, including financial compensation and logistics.
“The discussions are focused on a humanitarian and strategic partnership,” said Nduhungirehe. “Rwanda remains committed to being a responsible global actor and will consider this proposal within the framework of our national interest and international obligations.”
If finalized, the agreement would align Rwanda with the Trump administration’s broader push to establish “safe third country” deals with smaller nations. Such deals would allow the U.S. to send asylum seekers; many of whom are fleeing political persecution, poverty, or violence—not to their home countries, but to willing partner states.
Rwanda’s involvement in the scheme echoes a similar arrangement it previously struck with the United Kingdom, although that plan has faced legal and political hurdles. The new U.S.-Rwanda pact would expand on those efforts, though critics have warned about the risks of outsourcing asylum responsibilities to countries with limited capacity.
The U.S. has already signed comparable agreements with El Salvador and is reportedly in talks with Libya and other nations. The Trump administration says the goal is to curb illegal migration and alleviate pressure on the U.S. asylum system.
However, human rights groups have expressed concern that such policies may violate international refugee law and place vulnerable individuals at risk. “Sending asylum seekers to countries that are not their own, and may lack the resources or legal framework to protect them, is deeply troubling,” said a spokesperson for Human Rights Watch.
Neither the U.S. State Department nor the Department of Homeland Security has formally commented on the Rwanda talks. However, sources close to the negotiations confirmed that discussions have been underway since early March.
Rwanda has become a willing partner in several global resettlement and migration experiments, positioning itself as a stable and cooperative nation in a region plagued by volatility. Still, critics say these deals raise questions about transparency, oversight, and long-term impact on the country’s social fabric.
For now, officials in Kigali have stressed that no binding agreement has been signed and that Rwanda will continue to evaluate the proposal in line with its constitutional commitments and international human rights obligations.
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