President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team is exploring a controversial plan to deport illegal migrants to Rwanda, adopting elements of a recently abandoned British policy as part of his promised immigration crackdown, sources close to the transition tell The Sun on Sunday.
According to the-sun.com, the consideration of the Rwanda scheme comes as U.S. authorities report more than 10 million “encounters” with suspected illegal border crossers between January 2021 and September 2024, highlighting the scale of the crisis Trump campaigned against.
“Trump campaigned on a promise to crack down on illegal immigration – and he is determined to stick to it,” said a source close to Trump’s team, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. “His team is looking at the Rwanda scheme. He is considering deporting illegal migrants to Rwanda and other countries so they cannot stay on American soil.”
The proposed program would mirror Britain’s controversial policy, abandoned by Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government, which had earmarked £370 million ($470 million) over five years to relocate hundreds of illegal immigrants to Rwanda. The British initiative included construction of the now-vacant Hope Hostel, a facility that could potentially accommodate deportees from other nations.
Trump’s landslide victory came largely on promises to address immigration issues, with the president-elect repeatedly criticizing the Biden administration’s border policies. His team’s interest in the Rwanda plan signals a potential expansion of deportation strategies beyond traditional approaches.
The consideration of third-country deportation arrangements represents a significant shift in U.S. immigration enforcement policy, though implementation would likely face legal challenges similar to those that complicated Britain’s program.
Rwanda’s existing infrastructure from the British agreement, including the unused Hope Hostel, could facilitate rapid implementation if Trump pursues the plan, according to sources familiar with the discussions.
The proposal emerges as both the United States and Britain grapple with record levels of illegal immigration, with Trump positioning aggressive enforcement and deterrence as centerpieces of his upcoming administration’s agenda.
Credit: the-sun.com
