WASHINGTON/NAIROBI, Aug. 28 (Reuters) – Rwanda received seven immigrants deported from the US earlier this month, a government spokesman said in a statement Thursday weeks after the two countries reached an agreement on relocating up to 250 people.
“The first group of seven vetted immigrants arrived in Rwanda in mid-August,” Rwandan government spokesman Yolande Makoro said in a statement.
“Three individuals have expressed their desire to return to their home countries, while four want to stay in Rwanda and build their lives. All of these individuals will receive appropriate support and protection from the Rwandan government, regardless of their specific needs.”
President Donald Trump has taken a hard-line approach to immigration, aiming to illegally expel millions of US immigrants and to step up removals into third countries.
A US State Department spokesman on Thursday introduced the Rwandan government to questions about deportation earlier this month, and declined to comment on details of diplomatic communications with other governments.
“Implementing the Trump administration’s immigration policy is a top priority for the State Department. As Secretary Rubio said, we remain unshakable in our commitment to end illegal and mass migration and strengthening US border security,” the spokesman said.
The US Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
In early August, Rwanda and the US signed an agreement for Rwanda to take over up to 250 immigrants, and Washington sent Rwanda the first list to review the first list of 10.
Rwanda has recently established itself as a destination for immigration that the West wants to exclude, despite concerns from rights groups that Kigali doesn’t respect basic human rights.
The Trump administration says deportation from third countries will help quickly eliminate immigrants, including those who have been criminally convicted. Migrant hardlines are looking at the removal of third countries as a way to deal with criminals who cannot be deported easily and can pose a threat to the public.
Opponents have criticized deportation as dangerous and cruel. Because people can face violence, they can be sent to countries that have no bonds and do not speak language.
Earlier this month, Makoro said under an agreement with Washington, migrants deported to Rwanda will be provided with workforce training, health care and accommodation.
On Thursday, Makoro said that people deported to Rwanda were accompanied by international organisations and visited by international migrants and Rwandan social services.
(Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis and George Obulutsa, Additional Report by Nairobi Newsroom, Edited by Andrea Rich and Dianecraft)