Overview

• Seven vetted migrants arrived in mid-August, with three seeking return to their home countries and four opting to remain in Rwanda under support visits by the IOM and local social services.
• Authorities have not disclosed the deportees’ identities, nationalities, locations, or whether any have criminal records.
• Rwanda retains approval over each proposed transfer, and an initial list of 10 names was sent by the United States for vetting.
• The transfer makes Rwanda the third African partner after South Sudan and Eswatini to receive U.S. deportees, while Uganda has signaled a temporary arrangement with conditions.
• Rights groups warn the policy risks breaching international law, citing solitary confinement and court challenges in Eswatini, as U.S. officials describe some earlier transferees as violent offenders.