Rwanda and United States Finalize Migrant Resettlement Deal for Up to 250 Deportees

Download IPFS

The United States and Rwanda have finalized an agreement that will allow up to 250 migrants deported from U.S. territory to be resettled in Rwanda. The deal, reportedly signed in Kigali in June 2025, is part of an ongoing partnership between the two nations and reflects Rwanda’s active role in international humanitarian efforts. The arrangement permits Rwanda to vet and approve each individual case prior to resettlement.

A Rwandan government official, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, confirmed that an initial list of ten individuals had already been submitted by U.S. authorities for review. The terms of the agreement grant Rwandan immigration officials full discretion to evaluate eligibility before any relocation takes place.

Yolande Makolo, spokesperson for the Government of Rwanda, stated that the country’s decision stems from its historical experience with displacement and its long-standing focus on reintegration and national cohesion. “Rwanda has agreed with the United States to accept up to 250 migrants, in part because nearly every Rwandan family has experienced the hardships of displacement, and our societal values are founded on reintegration and rehabilitation,” Makolo said.

She added that approved migrants would be provided with essential services aimed at long-term integration. “They will receive workforce training, healthcare, and accommodation support to help them rebuild their lives and contribute to Rwanda’s economy — one of the fastest-growing in Africa over the past decade.”

This is not Rwanda’s first participation in a high-profile resettlement effort. From September 2019 through April 2025, the country hosted 2,760 refugees and asylum seekers evacuated from Libya under the Emergency Transit Mechanism (ETM), an initiative facilitated in coordination with international partners. Those evacuees, hailing primarily from nations including Somalia, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Sudan, Cameroon, and Nigeria, were temporarily housed in Bugesera District before most were successfully resettled in European countries.

The recent U.S.–Rwanda agreement forms part of Washington’s broader immigration enforcement strategy. Though specific financial or logistical details have not been disclosed, the program aligns with Rwanda’s continued efforts to position itself as a reliable partner in addressing global humanitarian challenges through structured, case-by-case cooperation.

The deal underscores a pragmatic, case-managed approach to resettlement that prioritizes national sovereignty while extending limited humanitarian relief. By maintaining control over vetting and integration, Rwanda ensures its national interests and social stability remain protected while contributing meaningfully to global migration management efforts.