Uganda reached a “temporary arrangement” with the Trump administration to accept deported migrants.
According to a statement from Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the agreement affects “Third Country Nationals who may not be granted asylum in the United States but are reluctant to or may have concerns about returning to their countries of origin.”
“This is a temporary arrangement with conditions including that individuals with criminal records and unaccompanied minors will not be accepted,” the statement continued. “Uganda also prefers that individuals from African countries shall be the ones transferred to Uganda. The two parties are working out the detailed modalities on how the agreement shall be implemented.”
Uganda is the second African nation to assist in deportation efforts. Earlier this month, Rwanda agreed to accept up to 250 illegal immigrants deported from the United States.
“Rwanda has agreed with the United States to accept up to 250 migrants, in part because nearly every Rwandan family has experienced the hardships of displacement, and our societal values are founded on reintegration and rehabilitation,” Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo told Reuters. “Under the agreement, Rwanda has the ability to approve each individual proposed for resettlement. “Those approved will be provided with workforce training, healthcare, and accommodation support to jumpstart their lives in Rwanda, giving them the opportunity to contribute to one of the fastest-growing economies in the world over the last decade.”
The Department of Homeland Security has also reached deals to send migrants to Costa Rica, Panama, El Salvador, South Sudan, and Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland.
