Washington/Kigali, August 29 (HS): Rwanda has received seven migrants deported from the United States earlier this month under a new bilateral arrangement that allows the transfer of up to 250 individuals.

Government spokesperson Yolande Makolo confirmed on Thursday that the first group, consisting of seven verified migrants, arrived in mid-August. “Three of them expressed a desire to return to their countries of origin, while four have chosen to remain in Rwanda and start afresh,” Makolo said. She assured that all deportees are being provided with tailored support, including necessary protection and resettlement assistance.

According to officials, the migrants will receive access to workforce training, healthcare, and housing. Representatives from international humanitarian organizations, including the International Organization for Migration (IOM), were present during the transfer and continue to assist alongside Rwanda’s social services.

The Biden administration has emphasized that third-country deportation agreements help expedite the removal of undocumented migrants, including those with criminal records. However, critics argue the approach risks sending vulnerable individuals into unsafe environments where they may face violence, insecurity, and cultural barriers.

Human rights groups have condemned the policy as “inhumane and dangerous,” warning that it could endanger the lives of migrants instead of offering real solutions to the immigration crisis.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar