The Trump administration is currently in negotiations with Rwanda to finalize a controversial agreement that would see the East African country receive individuals deported from the United States including non-Rwandan nationals. Sources in both Kigali and Washington confirmed that discussions are underway, with talks focusing on logistical arrangements and financial compensation for Rwanda.
According to a report by CBC News, the finer details of the agreement could be finalized within the next two weeks. The move signals the administration’s renewed focus on offshoring deportation operations as part of its broader immigration strategy.
During a recent Cabinet meeting broadcast on national television, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized the administration’s hardline stance on deportations. Seated next to former President Donald Trump, Rubio described deportees as “some of the most despicable human beings,” adding that “the further away from America, the better.”
The talks mirror previous efforts by the U.S. to strike deals with third-party nations willing to accept deportees. Countries such as El Salvador, Mexico, and Panama have reportedly accepted individuals under similar arrangements sometimes sparking human rights concerns.
Rwanda’s potential role is not without precedent. In 2022, it signed a controversial deal with the United Kingdom to accept asylum seekers. However, that plan faced intense legal and political opposition and was formally scrapped in 2024 by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
The current U.S.-Rwanda negotiations gained public attention following the reported deportation of an Iraqi national to Rwanda a case uncovered by independent journalist Marisa Kabas and later confirmed by Rwandan officials, who declined to provide further details.
These talks are unfolding amid broader U.S. diplomatic efforts in the region, including mediation between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Secretary Rubio credited Trump’s envoy to Africa, Massad Boulos who is also Tiffany Trump’s father-in-law for his role in fostering regional peace and securing mineral trade deals.
While the Trump administration continues to push aggressive deportation policies, critics warn that outsourcing such efforts raises serious ethical and legal questions about the treatment of displaced and stateless individuals. The outcome of the Rwanda talks may set a precedent for future U.S. immigration policy.
