First Group of Deportees Arrives in Rwanda from the US

Seven migrants deported from the US have arrived in Rwanda, the first of 250 expected to be taken in by the African state under a deal reached with President Donald Trump's administration.

The first group of seven vetted migrants arrived in Rwanda in mid-August, Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo said.

She gave no details about their nationalities, only explaining that four of them would remain in Rwanda, with three opting to return to their home countries.

Rights groups have warned that such deportations could breach international law if people are sent to countries where they risk torture or other abuses.

Trump has focused on a sweeping mass deportation scheme to remove undocumented migrants from the US since starting his second term in January.

So far, at least a dozen nations have agreed to accept deported migrants from other countries.

Makolo stated, Regardless of their specific needs, all of these individuals will receive appropriate support and protection from the Rwandan government, adding that the migrants are being accommodated by an international organization. They will be visited by the International Organization on Migration and Rwandan social services.

Earlier this month, Makolo emphasized that Rwanda was moving forward with the deal as nearly every Rwandan family has experienced the hardships of displacement. The Rwandan government maintains that it can provide a safe place for migrants despite past criticism regarding its human rights record.

In a deal with the UN refugee agency and African Union, nearly 3,000 refugees and asylum seekers trapped in Libya were evacuated to Rwanda between September 2019 and April 2025, many subsequently resettled elsewhere.

Rwanda previously had an agreement with the UK to accept asylum seekers, which was canceled after a change in government. The financial details of the recent US-Rwanda deal remain unclear.

As Rwanda continues to engage with global migration issues, the arrival of these migrants poses questions about international obligations and the treatment of displaced persons.