The Trump administration has discussed with Libya and Rwanda the possibility of sending migrants who have criminal records and are in the United States to those two countries, according to multiple sources familiar with the talks. The proposals mark a dramatic escalation in the administration’s push to deter people journeying to the United States and remove some of those already here to countries thousands of miles away, some of which have checkered pasts. President Donald Trump signed an executive order in January directing top officials to facilitate international cooperation and agreements to send asylum seekers elsewhere. In addition to sending migrants with criminal records, Trump officials are also hoping to enter formal negotiations with Libya to strike a so-called safe third country agreement, which would allow the US to send asylum seekers apprehended at the US border to Libya, according to one of the sources. No decision has been made yet, and it’s unclear which nationalities would be eligible. CNN reached out to the State Department and a representative for Libyan Gen. Saddam Haftar, who was in Washington for talks with officials this week, for comment. Trump officials have previously tried to strike safe third country agreements with countries in the Western hemisphere to ease the burden on the US asylum system and stem migration to the United States. The Trump administration has also moved to expand cooperation to include working with countries to detain people removed from the United States, including most recently with El Salvador. Multiple sources said the State Department is in talks with other countries about taking migrants, in addition to Libya and Rwanda. “I say this unapologetically, we are actively searching for other countries to take people from third countries,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said at a Cabinet meeting Wednesday. “We are working with other countries to say, ‘We want to send you some of the most despicable human beings to your countries — will you do that as a favor to us?’ And the further away from America, the better, so they can’t come back across the border,” he said. This week, senior State Department officials met with Libyan officials and discussed the proposal to send migrants to the North African country, according to one of the sources. One piece of potential leverage for the US in any talks is the likelihood of another travel ban against visitors from several countries, which the Trump administration has teased but not yet released. Libya was included in the ban during Trump’s first term. A United Nations report in 2024 pointed to years of human rights violations in Libya and concerns over a lack of accountability for the violations. Rights groups and U.N. agencies have also for years documented systematic abuse of migrants in Libya including allegations of forced labor, beatings, rapes and torture. There have also been conversations as recently as this week between the US and Rwanda to advance a plan to use the country for third-party deportations of undocumented immigrants in the US, sources familiar with the matter said. Rwanda and the US are discussing a possible agreement where Rwanda would accept migrants with criminal records who have served their sentence in the US already. The cost structure is still being finessed, though sources said it would likely be higher per person than the overall cost per person of deportees to El Salvador because Rwanda would not put the people in prison. Rwanda would instead take them into society and provide some social support to them, such as a stipend and assistance with finding a job locally, sources said. The plan could take weeks to come together and would be used more on an ad hoc basis. The conversation with Rwanda began in the early days of the Trump administration when there was a diplomatic note sent by the Trump administration to many countries around the world to gauge any interest in working on deportations of illegal migrants in the US. Rwanda signaled that they would be open to such conversations, sources said. In March, one person was deported from the US to Rwanda, a transfer that was seen as a model that could work on a bigger scale, sources said. The person was a refugee from Iraq, Omar Abdulsattar Ameen. The concept isn’t new for Rwanda, given an agreement that the country struck with the United Kingdom in 2022 to deport asylum seekers in the UK to Rwanda. But the plan was engulfed by legal troubles and last year it was discontinued by the newly elected British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who called the scheme a “gimmick.” The removal of third-country migrants to Libya and Rwanda is likely to face legal challenges. Last month, a federal judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration from deporting people to countries other than their own without first providing notice and an opportunity to contest it.
Trump administration weighs sending migrants to Libya and Rwanda, sources say
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Trump Administration Considers Migrant Deportation Agreements with Libya and Rwanda"
CNN
5.7
TruthLens AI Summary
The Trump administration is exploring agreements with Libya and Rwanda to send migrants with criminal records from the United States to these countries, according to multiple sources. This proposal represents a significant intensification of the administration's efforts to deter migration to the United States and to relocate migrants already in the country to distant nations with controversial human rights records. President Trump had previously signed an executive order directing officials to seek international cooperation for sending asylum seekers to third countries. In addition to criminal migrants, the administration aims to negotiate a 'safe third country' agreement with Libya, allowing the U.S. to deport asylum seekers intercepted at the border to Libya. However, no final decisions have been made regarding the nationalities that would qualify for such deportations, and discussions are ongoing with potential partners beyond Libya and Rwanda, including El Salvador.
State Department officials have reportedly engaged in talks with Libyan representatives regarding the potential plan, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio has expressed a candid intention to find countries willing to accept deported individuals, emphasizing that the further these nations are from the U.S., the better. Recent discussions have also involved Rwanda, where an agreement may be established for accepting criminal migrants who have served their time in the U.S. Unlike in Libya, Rwanda would integrate these individuals into society with some support, such as job assistance and stipends. The plan's implementation may take several weeks and will be conducted on an ad hoc basis. However, the initiative to deport migrants to these countries is likely to encounter legal obstacles, particularly after a federal judge recently blocked the administration from deporting individuals to countries other than their own without due process. This development highlights the complexities and potential challenges of the administration's immigration strategy.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article presents a controversial strategy being considered by the Trump administration regarding the handling of migrants within the United States. This proposal to send migrants with criminal records to countries like Libya and Rwanda is indicative of a broader shift in immigration policy aimed at deterrence and removal.
Implications of Migrant Resettlement Discussions
The discussions with Libya and Rwanda reflect a significant escalation in the administration's efforts to manage migration. By proposing to send individuals categorized as "criminals," the administration seeks to frame its actions as a means of public safety while simultaneously addressing domestic political pressures related to immigration. This move could create a narrative that positions the U.S. as taking a tough stance on crime and immigration, appealing to certain voter bases that prioritize these issues.
Public Perception and Media Framing
The language used in the article, such as referring to migrants as "despicable human beings," may cultivate a divisive public sentiment towards these individuals. This rhetoric could foster an "us versus them" mentality, where migrants are viewed primarily through a lens of criminality rather than as complex human beings with diverse backgrounds and stories. The framing may also serve to distract from other pressing issues within the administration, such as economic or foreign policy challenges.
Potential Concealment of Broader Issues
The emphasis on sending migrants abroad may divert attention from the administration's struggles with domestic immigration policies and the handling of the asylum system. The focus on punitive measures could obscure discussions about humanitarian responsibilities and the ethical implications of such actions, raising questions about the treatment of asylum seekers globally.
Manipulative Nature of the Article
This article can be perceived as having a manipulative quality, primarily through its choice of language and the emphasis on criminality. By labeling migrants in such a manner, the article aims to sway public opinion to support harsher immigration measures. The absence of detailed context regarding the asylum seekers' situations or the conditions within the proposed countries serves to simplify a complex issue into a binary choice of safety versus danger.
Comparison with Other News
When compared to other immigration-related news, this article resonates with a broader narrative seen in various reports advocating for stricter immigration laws and the criminalization of migration. This aligns with the administration's previous attempts to negotiate "safe third country" agreements, suggesting a systematic approach to reshaping immigration policy.
Impact on Society and Politics
This proposal could potentially polarize communities further, leading to increased tensions around immigration issues. It might galvanize support from conservative groups who favor stringent immigration measures while alienating human rights advocates. Economically, the implications of such policies may affect labor markets, particularly in sectors reliant on migrant labor.
Support from Specific Communities
The article is likely to resonate with communities that prioritize law and order, appealing particularly to conservative voters who are concerned about crime and immigration. Conversely, it may alienate immigrant communities and advocates for human rights, who may view these proposals as inhumane and counterproductive.
Possible Market Reactions
Regarding economic implications, this news could influence investor sentiment in sectors related to immigration policy, such as private prison companies or businesses reliant on migrant labor. However, the broader market impact may be minimal unless tied to significant legislative changes.
Geopolitical Considerations
From a global perspective, proposals to send migrants to countries with questionable human rights records could strain U.S. relations with other nations and impact its standing in international human rights discussions. This move reflects ongoing debates about the responsibilities of nations in handling global migration crises.
Use of AI in News Writing
It is conceivable that AI tools were employed in drafting this article, particularly for generating headlines and framing narratives. Such tools might have influenced the tone and structure, promoting a certain perspective that aligns with the administration's messaging. The language choices could reflect algorithmic biases that favor sensationalism or divisive rhetoric.
In summary, the article highlights a significant aspect of the Trump administration's immigration policy, characterized by a focus on deterrence and criminalization. The implications of these discussions could reshape public perception, influence political dynamics, and provoke ethical debates around humanitarian responsibilities.