Rwanda agrees to accept 250 migrants deported from the U.S.

Yolande Makolo

Rwanda has agreed to receive up to 250 migrants deported from the United States, marking the third African nation to join the Trump administration’s controversial third-country deportation program. The Associated Press reports that the agreement, quietly signed in Kigali in June 2025, empowers the Rwandan government to vet and approve each incoming individual before arrival.

Spokesperson Yolande Makolo explained that Rwanda accepted the arrangement in part due to its history of displacement, saying: “Nearly every Rwandan family has experienced hardship, and our values are founded on reintegration and rehabilitation.” Approved deportees will receive support in the form of workforce training, healthcare, and accommodation, aimed at helping them contribute to Rwanda’s economy.

According to Politico, the U.S. government is expected to provide an undisclosed financial grant to Kigali under the agreement. Rights groups have raised concerns over the safety and legality of deporting individuals to countries with limited ties to them, citing Rwanda’s past migration agreements and human rights record.