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Deportation

Uganda Accepts Deported Migrants from US Under Conditions

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Uganda has agreed to take in some migrants from the United States who have been deported, but only if they do not have criminal records or are not accompanied by minors. The deal was made with the Trump administration as part of its efforts to increase the expulsion of migrants to countries where they do not hold citizenship. Uganda, a US ally in East Africa, already hosts nearly 2 million refugees and asylum-seekers.

Key Takeaways:

  • Uganda has agreed to accept migrants from the US under a temporary arrangement with conditions, including excluding individuals with criminal records and unaccompanied minors.
  • The deal was made with the Trump administration as part of its efforts to increase expulsions of migrants to countries where they lack citizenship, and a similar agreement has been made with Honduras.
  • Uganda prefers to receive individuals with African nationalities under the agreement.
  • The two parties, Uganda and the US, are working out the detailed modalities on how to implement the agreement.
  • This is not the first time the Trump administration has deported migrants to third countries, with previous instances including Eswatini and South Sudan.
  • Uganda hosts nearly 2 million refugees and asylum-seekers, mostly from nearby countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, and Sudan.
  • Vincent Bagiire Waiswa, permanent secretary of Uganda's Foreign Affairs Ministry, stated that the agreement is temporary and includes conditions that individuals with criminal records and unaccompanied minors will not be accepted.
  • The government of Rwanda has also agreed to receive migrant detainees from the US.

Statistics:

  • Uganda hosts nearly 2 million refugees and asylum-seekers.
  • The US has made a similar agreement with Honduras as part of its efforts to increase expulsions of migrants.
  • In July, the US deported five men with criminal backgrounds to the southern African kingdom of Eswatini and sent eight more to South Sudan.
  • Over 1 million refugee population in Uganda is from nearby countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, and Sudan.

Sources:

  • CBS News, "Uganda agrees to take migrants from the US, with conditions"
  • Statement by Vincent Bagiire Waiswa, permanent secretary of Uganda's Foreign Affairs Ministry

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