Trump officials ponder relocating asylum seekers to Libya and Rwanda, according to insiders
The Trump administration isfracasticly discussing the deportation of undesirable immigrants with criminal records residing in the US to Libya and Rwanda, according to multiple unrevealed sources. This plan is an escalation of the administration's effort to discourage individuals from embarking on the perilous journey to the US and expel those already present from distant lands.
In January, President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing top officials to enact international cooperation in facilitating agreements that would facilitate the removal of asylum seekers from the US to other countries. To this end, Trump officials are hoping to enter formal negotiations with Libya, aiming for a 'safe third country' agreement, which would enable the US to transfer asylum seekers apprehended at the US border to Africa. No solid decisions have been made yet, and it's uncertain which nationalities would qualify.
The controversial discussion of sending migrants to the North African country has been held between US officials, although it's unclear whether the subject was brought up in recent meetings in Washington. Libya, which has a murky history of human rights violations, has been included in its fair share of travel bans during Trump's presidency. The UN has released reports documenting years of human rights violations in Libya, as well as concerns over a lack of accountability for the abuses. Furthermore, numerous rights groups and UN agencies have documented systematic abuse of migrants in Libya, including allegations of forced labor, beatings, rapes, and torture.
Conversations with Rwanda focus on accepting migrants with criminal records who have served their sentences in the US, with advanced discussions happening behind the scenes. The plan involves sending these individuals to Rwanda instead of detaining them, and offering them social support, such as a stipend and assistance finding employment in the local job market. This collaborative venture could take several weeks to come to fruition and will likely be used on an ad hoc basis.
Rwanda has a previous agreement with the United Kingdom concerning the deportation of asylum seekers in the UK, but the arrangement was plagued with legal issues and was ultimately terminated by the newly elected British Prime Minister, who called the scheme a shallow stunt. However, the removal of third-country migrants to Libya and Rwanda is expected to face significant legal challenges, given a recent federal court ruling that temporarily restrains the Trump administration from deporting individuals to nations other than their homeland without proper notice and an opportunity to challenge the decision.
In summary, the Trump administration is attempting to strike agreements with several countries to accept undesirable immigrants who have already served prison sentences in the US. These discussions involve Libya and Rwanda, with the potential for Libya to serve as a 'safe third country' for processing asylum claims. The conversation with Rwanda has been underway since the early days of the Trump administration, and the outcome might offer insight into a new approach to immigration enforcement.
- Despite the controversial discussion and the uncertain qualifying nationalities, the Trump administration is hoping to enter formal negotiations with Libya for a 'safe third country' agreement, aimed at transferring asylum seekers apprehended at the US border to Africa.
- In addition to Libya, the Trump administration is also discussing with Rwanda the acceptance of immigrants, specifically those with criminal records who have served their sentences in the US, intending to send them to Rwanda instead of detaining them, offering them social support such as stipends and employment assistance.
- Conversations with Rwanda have been ongoing since the early days of the Trump administration, and if successful, this collaborative venture could offer insight into a new approach to immigration enforcement.
- The plan to deport undesirable immigrants to Libya and Rwanda is expected to face significant legal challenges, following a federal court ruling that temporarily restrains the Trump administration from deporting individuals to nations other than their homeland without proper notice and an opportunity to challenge the decision.

