Rwanda is emerging as a partner for Western countries to outsource refugee crises. The country also helps several nations to scare away illegal immigrants. Let’s find out how.

First, let’s start with the basics.

Asylum seekers are individuals who leave their country due to the fear of facing violence. On the other hand, illegal immigrants are people who enter other countries without proper documents or overstay after visa expiry. They may face deportation as overstaying violates immigration laws.

Despite the life-threatening risks involved in illegal crossings in border areas, or traveling in small boats in the sea, lakhs of people try to enter developing countries illegally. And this is where Rwanda comes into the picture to deter people from taking huge risks. 

Rwanda instead of the US

The small African nation has offered a helping hand to assist several developed countries in taking care of both refugees and illegal immigrants.

Rwanda has recently held discussions with the Trump administration. The African nation has shared a proposal to accept deported migrants from the US and help them resettle. Olivier Nduhungirehe, Rwanda’s  Foreign Minister said the plan is in its initial stages. And, it is a great opportunity for migrants who have problems in their own country to take a chance and settle in Rwanda. As of now, no final agreement has been reached. However, it is crucial to note that this is not the African country’s first attempt to cash in on crises.

Assistance to the UK

Rwanda remained in the headlines for quite a while in 2023. Britain crafted a policy under the Illegal Migration Act 2023 and the Nationality and Borders Act 2022. As a part of the scheme, the country decided to send illegally entering asylum seekers to Rwanda. The intention was to deter illegal immigration, especially, via small boat crossings.

The initiative made sense to Britons who wish to control the number of persons entering the country. But, it was a nightmare for individuals who were being sent to the East African nation as there was no guarantee they would be allowed to return to the UK. However, the policy was placed on hold due to the UK Supreme Court ruling in November 2023.

Agreement with Israel 

Between 2013 and 2018, Israel had an arrangement in place with Uganda and Rwanda. Migrants were offered a plane ticket to the two African nations and $3,500 in exchange for leaving the country. An undisclosed number of individuals were sent. However, the plan was put on hold in March 2018 due to an order from Israel’s High Court. Later, the Rwandan government denied the existence of any agreement in place with Israel. 

Denmark’s dumping ground for illegal immigrants 

In June 2021, the Danish Parliament passed a law to support its initiative of outsourcing migrants. The law allows Denmark to flow migrants to partner countries even while asylum applications are under consideration. Denmark is a member of EU. Yet, it has signed special opt-out clauses that allow it to stay out of certain EU laws related to migrant handling. Denmark has also opened an office in Rwanda’s capital Kigali to handle asylum seekers. Currently, it operates under the Danish Embassy. The then Danish immigration minister Kaare Dybvad Bek said Denmark wants to help more refugees and send them to a place where they won’t face life-threatening situations. And Rwanda will prove to be a heaven for such persons.

Rwanda’s broader role 

Rwanda is a part of the United Nations and EU-funded Emergency Transit Mechanism (ETM) scheme. And it allows Rwanda to host vulnerable refugees from some countries who enter EU nations. Under the initiative, the UNHCR processes all the asylum claims on behalf of Rwanda. The African nation has handled 135,000 refugees under the scheme so far. 

Countries like the Czech Republic, Romania, Poland, the Netherlands, Malta, Hungary, Italy, Greece, Finland, and others want partners like Rwanda to handle sea-rescued migrants. It will deter people from taking risks and make them think twice before entering Europe illegally. 

Why is Rwanda interested in handling global immigration challenges? 

Well, for money. 

The UK paid Rwanda approximately £142 million to cover initial costs and support economic development projects. Israel paid $5,000 for each asylum seeker sent to Rwanda. Details about Denmark’s financial commitments made to Rwanda remain undisclosed. Rwanda is also holding discussions with the Trump administration on financial compensation and logistical details in exchange for handling American illegal immigrants. So, it is clear that Rwanda is ready to become an ideal partner in immigration processing in exchange for financial gains. 

Does Rwanda have the infrastructure to handle millions of immigrants from these countries? 

Rwanda has controlled borders and its economy is stable compared to other countries in the African continent.  Tourism, mining, and export of agriculture products (including tea and coffee) are key sources of revenue for the country. It does have experience in managing 135,000 refugees and can certainly process people in the sum of hundreds each day. However, the situation changes when this number shifts from hundreds to lakhs. It does not have the infrastructure and facilities to handle claims and offer safe accommodations to lakhs of asylum seekers daily. Plus, Rwanda is clearly not a suitable host if the country’s human rights records are considered. The UK Supreme Court, which put asylum seekers’ transfers on hold, had also expressed similar concerns.

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