The United States is exploring new agreements to transfer migrants to third-party nations, following its contentious deal with El Salvador.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed on Wednesday that discussions are ongoing with several countries, including Rwanda, as part of President Donald Trump’s broader crackdown on immigration.
Speaking during a cabinet meeting led by Trump, Rubio stated, “We’re unapologetically seeking out more countries willing to take in people from third countries. It’s not just about El Salvador.”
He hinted that the focus is on deporting individuals the US deems undesirable.
Sources familiar with the negotiations, who requested anonymity, confirmed that Rwanda is involved in the talks.
The East African nation, often praised for its stability, had previously struck a migrant deal with the UK’s former Conservative government. That agreement, however, was scrapped by Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s administration after taking office in July last year.
Under its current arrangement, El Salvador has accepted not only its own deported citizens but also migrants from Venezuela.
The US deportation initiative has sparked controversy, particularly after officials admitted to mistakenly expelling a Salvadoran man, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, despite a judge’s order blocking his removal. The Supreme Court has since directed US authorities to facilitate his return.
Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, who has aggressively pursued mass incarceration to combat gang violence, has offered to house prisoners from the US at significantly reduced costs compared to American detention facilities.
While Rubio recently suggested Bukele was willing to detain US citizens, the Trump administration has acknowledged legal barriers to holding Americans in foreign jails.
