Kosovo on Wednesday offered to shelter up to 50 people deported from the US as President Donald Trump’s crackdown on illegal or unauthorised immigrants steps up.

“Individuals who are subject to this decision, during the time of their stay in Kosovo, will act in line with the legislation in force and enjoy rights designated according to the law,” the Kosovo government said.

Albin Kurti, the Acting Prime Minister, said the decision followed a US request for its allies to admit citizens from third countries.

“Our country will accept and shelter up to 50 individuals for a one-year period with the aim to facilitate their safe return to their countries of origin. Selection of these individual will be done from a proposed list as long as they fulfill the designated criteria regarding rule of law and public order,” Kurti said.

“The United States remain our unwavering partner and the Republic of Kosovo will always be their trusted partner,” he added.

Last week, Bloomberg reported that Trump’s administration is pushing Serbia and other Balkan nations to take in migrants deported from the US. Serbia’s authorities have not commented on the proposal.

The Trump administration, which claims to have deported 17,000 people in April, is currently facing protests across the country opposing federal immigration raids and the deployment of Marines.