Rwanda has received seven migrants deported from the United States, the government confirmed on Thursday, marking the first transfer carried out under a recent relocation agreement between both countries.
“The first group of seven vetted migrants arrived in Rwanda in mid-August,” a government spokesperson said. The accord allows for the relocation of up to 250 people from the U.S. to Rwanda.
While a U.S. State Department spokesperson declined to comment on the specific deportations, the official reiterated Washington’s position, stating: “Implementing the Trump Administration’s immigration policies is a top priority… We remain unwavering in our commitment to end illegal and mass migration.”
The transfers have drawn criticism from rights groups, who argue that relocating migrants to third countries with contested human rights records exposes them to risks of violence, social isolation, and inadequate legal protection.
In response, Rwandan officials said the deportees will be provided with workforce training, healthcare, and accommodation. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Yolande Makolo noted that the group is being supported by both international and local service providers to aid their integration.
The development underscores the growing trend of bilateral deportation and resettlement deals, which critics say shift responsibility for migration management while raising questions about accountability and migrant welfare.
