The United States is reportedly in the final stages of negotiating a migrant relocation deal with Rwanda, in what appears to be a bold extension of the Trump administration’s tough stance on illegal immigration. The potential agreement would see Rwanda serve as a host country for asylum seekers and migrants denied entry at the U.S. border.
This move is seen as part of a broader U.S. strategy to reduce pressure on its overcrowded and expensive detention centers. According to immigration experts, space is running out—and so is patience. “We’re seeing a significant rise in operational costs, and detention capacity is at its limit,” said Jacob Sapochnick, a San Diego-based immigration attorney, referencing a report from Bloomberg.
To ease that burden, the State Department is now looking to formalize “transfer agreements” with countries willing to accept deportees. Rwanda, which has already partnered with the United Kingdom under a now-defunct migration pact, may be the next in line.
Echoes of the UK’s Failed Experiment
The U.K.’s controversial “Rwanda scheme,” launched in 2022 by the Conservative government, was ultimately scrapped in 2024 by newly elected Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who dismissed it as “a gimmick.” Despite a staggering £715 million investment—including £290 million to Rwanda directly—the plan resulted in just a handful of voluntary removals. With no successful deportations and mounting criticism, the Labour government pulled the plug, leaving contractors jobless and Rwanda demanding an additional £50 million in compensation.
Now, the U.S. appears poised to walk a similar path.
Rwanda Already Tested as a Destination
Earlier this year, the U.S. quietly deported Iraqi national Omar Abdulsattar Ameen to Rwanda, reportedly paying $100,000 for his relocation. While no formal treaty has been acknowledged, the transfer raised eyebrows and fueled speculation that Rwanda is being vetted for a larger role in the U.S. deportation framework.
Ameen’s case is particularly notable—he’s been a subject of legal battles and failed extradition attempts since the Trump era. His relocation to Rwanda may have served as a test balloon for what’s to come.
Also, read: Algerian Olympic Boxer Imane Khelif Barred from Competing Pending Gender Test
Official Silence, Quiet Talks
Though the U.S. State Department has yet to officially confirm the Rwanda negotiations, Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe recently acknowledged the ongoing discussions. “We are in talks with the United States about a deal on migration,” he said earlier this month.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, meanwhile, has made no secret of the administration’s intent to find alternative destinations for migrants. “We’re actively searching for other countries to take people,” he said. “Preferably, the further away from America, the better—so they can’t come back across the border.”
Still, the lack of transparency around the agreement has drawn concern. The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, confirmed it has not been officially briefed on the proposed U.S.-Rwanda arrangement. “Any transfer arrangement should ensure access to asylum and due process,” said spokesperson Kathryn Mahoney.
Human Rights Questions Linger
The prospect of outsourcing asylum processing to third countries—especially ones with vastly different legal systems—has drawn sharp criticism from human rights groups and immigration advocates. “These kinds of policies risk violating international obligations and shifting responsibility away from wealthier nations,” said a refugee policy analyst with knowledge of past deportation frameworks.
As the U.S. weighs Rwanda as a strategic partner in its evolving immigration policy, many are watching to see whether this will become a genuine solution—or a costly political maneuver that echoes the UK’s failed attempt. Either way, the lives of thousands of migrants hang in the balance.
For now, Rwanda stands as a willing—but closely scrutinized—player in America’s unfolding migration playbook.
