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President Donald Trump’s mass deportation efforts are gaining traction this week following a formal third-country agreement with Rwanda. This agreement is part of a broader initiative to collaborate with countries willing to accept deportees whose home nations refuse to take them back or present other obstacles.
Rwanda’s Commitment to Accept Deportees
Rwandan officials have agreed to accept 250 illegal immigrants in a deal established with the U.S. State Department on Tuesday. This partnership adds Rwanda to the list of nearly six nations already on board with similar agreements. Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe emphasized that this concept is not new for Rwanda, as they had previously negotiated a similar deal with the United Kingdom, though that agreement was halted by a London court.
According to Yolande Makolo, a spokesperson for Rwandan President Paul Kagame, deported individuals will receive assistance to help them rebuild their lives in Rwanda. Each deportee will undergo an individual assessment for resettlement, followed by access to workforce training, healthcare, and accommodation.
Eswatini’s Role in U.S. Deportations
In another development, Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland until 2018, recently deported five foreign nationals from the U.S. to Mbabane in July. Unlike Rwanda, this operation did not involve a formal third-country agreement. Eswatini, the last absolute monarchy in Africa, borders Mozambique and South Africa. The deported individuals were convicted of serious crimes, including battery, murder, gang activity, and methamphetamine-related offenses.
Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, stated, "This flight took individuals so uniquely dangerous that their home countries refused to take them back." The convicts were from countries including Vietnam, Jamaica, Laos, Cuba, and Yemen. A spokesperson for King Mswati III expressed hopes of facilitating the return of these criminals to their countries of origin.
South Sudan’s Involvement
South Sudan has also accepted eight deportees in July. A federal judge in Boston, Brian Murphy, temporarily blocked Sudanese deportations, ruling that migrants should have opportunities to seek protection under a U.S. diplomatic Convention Against Torture (CAT). The Supreme Court later stayed Murphy’s ruling.
International Collaborations in Deportation Efforts
Costa Rica: In February, Costa Rica agreed to accept 200 deported migrants, including some from India. The country’s laws permit temporary sheltering of migrants. Reports indicate that the U.S. has entered into a $7.8 million agreement to assist Costa Rica with deportations.
Panama: Also in February, Panama’s foreign ministry reported the arrival of its first flight of around 200 non-Panamanian deportees from the U.S. under a new agreement with Washington. The U.S. is covering the costs of these deportations, which include migrants primarily from Asian countries such as China, Uzbekistan, Nepal, India, and Vietnam, alongside individuals from Cameroon and Iran.
El Salvador: El Salvador has emerged as a prominent ally in deportation efforts. Congressional Democrats recently visited after a suspected human trafficker was deported to a notorious prison. In a response to criticisms from figures like Hunter Biden, Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele humorously questioned Biden’s past drug use while addressing concerns about the deportation of individuals.
Conclusion
These international agreements underscore the ongoing complexities of immigration and deportation policies under the Trump administration. The collaboration with various nations aims to streamline the repatriation of individuals who pose a risk to American communities, while also providing them with resources to rebuild their lives in their new environments.
For more updates on immigration policies and international agreements, stay tuned to Fox News.
Charles Creitz is a reporter for Fox News Digital, covering media, politics, and culture. He is a Pennsylvania native and graduated from Temple University with a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism. For story tips, contact charles.creitz@fox.com.
