The US Government has approached Libya and Rwanda to explore the possibility of relocating migrants with criminal convictions who are currently in the United States, according to sources familiar with the discussions.
These proposals represent a significant expansion of the Trump Administration’s efforts to curb migration by deporting individuals to distant nations. President Donald Trump had previously signed an executive order in January 2025 urging officials to secure international agreements to redirect asylum seekers, and these latest talks suggest a more aggressive approach.
Among the proposals under consideration is a “safe third country” agreement with Libya, which would permit the US to send asylum seekers intercepted at the border to the North African nation. However, no final decisions have been made, and it remains uncertain which nationalities would be affected. The State Department has also been in discussions with other, unnamed countries about similar arrangements. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio openly stated that the administration is seeking nations willing to accept deportees, emphasizing a preference for locations far from American borders to prevent re-entry.
Rwanda, meanwhile, has engaged in separate talks with the US about accepting migrants who have already served prison sentences in America. Unlike Libya, Rwanda’s proposed model would involve integrating deportees into society rather than detaining them, offering financial support and job assistance. A test case occurred in March when an Iraqi refugee was deported to Rwanda, setting a potential precedent. However, such plans may face legal hurdles, particularly after a recent US court ruling temporarily barred deportations to third countries without due process. Rwanda’s previous agreement with the UK—a similar scheme that was later scrapped—highlights the complexities and controversies surrounding such policies.