Rwanda says it’s talking with the US about taking in third-country deportees. Here’s why | AP News
Rwanda has begun talks with the US and the Trump administration about taking in U.S. deportees from other countries. The U. S’s current effort has sent hundreds of Venezuelans and people of other nationalities to Latin American countries other than their own, however the U.S. hasn’t started this process with any governments from Africa, Asia, or Europe yet. U.S. officials have not confirmed this potential agreement, but this would follow in their past agreements with the Latin American countries. Rwanda’s offer is a part of their goal to rebuild their international image and deepen their ties with the US. It’s Prime Minister stated that this is a way for them to increase their role as a “partner in migration solutions.”
This is significant because it follows recent shift in U.S. Migration policies after the Trump Administration entered the office. Trump’s campaign is focused on ‘America First,” with some of the top issues being illegal immigration and access to materials for in state manufacturing. The US is interested in growing their relationship with Rwanda because they can help with both of those issues by taking in deportees and providing us with critical minerals that are vast in the area. Rwanda is taking this opportunity to grow themselves as a hub for migration despite their human rights track record and other internal issues, in order to gain diplomatic or financial deals.
Rwanda could respond with clear terms of a deal with the U.S., including how they would be supported in the country, and how they would impact the country in the long term. Since Rwanda is already involved in a conflict in the Congo and faces other issues, if they overstretch their outreach, it could continue to worsen the already bad regions instability. The U.S. should consider the human rights aspects of the possible deal and avoid making similar mistakes that were made during the UK’s deal with Rwanda.