Bloomberg on Thursday reported that Rwanda has welcomed its first group of migrants deported from the United States, fulfilling a contentious agreement with President Donald Trump's administration.

Government spokesperson Yolande Makolo confirmed in a written response that "the first group of seven vetted migrants arrived in Rwanda in mid-August." Under the deal, Kigali has pledged to take in as many as 250 individuals, promising health care, accommodation, and vocational training.

The transfers mark part of Washington's wider effort to push through third-country deportations when migrants' countries of origin refuse to accept them. Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has expanded such arrangements, concluding agreements not only with Rwanda but also with South Sudan and Eswatini. US officials argue the measures are necessary to remove dangerous criminals, while civil rights groups counter that the policy places law-abiding migrants at risk of being sent to unfamiliar countries with limited protections.

Rwanda is no stranger to such international arrangements. In recent years, it has developed a reputation as a relocation hub for asylum seekers:

• United Kingdom: Kigali signed a high-profile deal in 2022 to host migrants arriving in Britain without authorization, but the scheme was scrapped in 2024 after Prime Minister Keir Starmer took office, calling it “dead and buried.”
• "Israel": Between 2014 and 2017, "Israel" transferred Eritrean and Sudanese asylum seekers to Rwanda under a confidential agreement, though rights groups said many of those relocated soon left Rwanda due to uncertain conditions.
• Denmark: In 2021, Copenhagen considered a similar relocation partnership with Rwanda, though it did not advance.
• African Union & UNHCR: Kigali has also served as a safe haven for refugees evacuated from Libya, hosting emergency transit centers since 2019 as part of a humanitarian effort led by the AU and UN agencies.

Against this backdrop, the current US arrangement fits into Kigali's broader strategy of positioning itself as a reliable partner for countries looking to outsource migration responsibilities.

Makolo noted that of the seven arrivals from the US, "three individuals … have expressed a desire to return to their home countries, while four wish to stay and build lives in Rwanda." She added, "Regardless of their specific needs, all of these individuals will receive appropriate support and protection from the Rwandan government."

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