Kosovo has agreed to a request from the United States to temporarily host a limited number of migrants deported from the U.S. who are not originally from Kosovo. The agreement, which will initially involve up to 50 individuals, aims to facilitate their safe return to their home countries while strengthening Kosovo’s ties with its key ally, the United States.
Key Takeaways
- Kosovo will accept up to 50 migrants deported from the U.S. who are not citizens of Kosovo.
- The migrants will be temporarily relocated to Kosovo to facilitate their return to their home countries.
- Kosovo will have the ability to select individuals based on rule of law and public order criteria.
- The agreement is part of a broader U.S. strategy to increase deportations and is seen as a sign of strong bilateral relations.
Details of the Agreement
Kosovo’s acting government has approved a measure to "temporarily" accept migrants deported from the United States as part of a plan to resettle them to a third country. The agreement allows for the temporary relocation of up to 50 deportees, who will then be facilitated in their safe return to their countries of origin. Kosovo’s government will have the discretion to select individuals from a proposed pool, provided they meet specific criteria related to the rule of law and public order.
U.S. Deportation Strategy
This move is part of a wider and aggressive effort by the U.S. administration to convince countries worldwide to accept migrants who are not their own citizens. The U.S. State Department expressed gratitude for Kosovo’s cooperation, calling it a key priority for the administration. Such agreements are often used when a migrant’s home country is unwilling or unable to accept their return, sometimes due to strained diplomatic relations.
Kosovo’s Motivations and Previous Agreements
Kosovo views the United States as one of its strongest international allies, particularly given the U.S. role in supporting Kosovo’s independence from Serbia in 2008. The Balkan nation hopes that such cooperation will bring income and recognition of its strengthening ties to the West. This is not Kosovo’s first agreement involving the relocation of foreign nationals. The country previously agreed to host Afghan evacuees following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. Additionally, Kosovo has a deal with Denmark to lease 300 prison cells to house foreign prisoners awaiting deportation after serving their sentences, and has expressed interest in similar arrangements with the United Kingdom.
Concerns and Criticisms
While the agreement is presented as a cooperative effort, human rights organizations have raised concerns about the potential for such arrangements to violate migrants’ rights and create new challenges for host countries. The housing of migrants has been a sensitive issue in Kosovo and the wider Balkan region, with some countries facing criticism for their approaches to migration.
Sources
- Kosovo agrees to accept U.S. deportations of migrants from other countries, CBS News.
- Kosovo Approves Measure To ‘Temporarily’ Host Migrants Deported From The US, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
- Kosovo accepts US request to host third-party deportees, Reuters.
