Quick Read
- Eswatini received 10 foreign nationals deported from the U.S. on Monday.
- The deal allows Eswatini to accept up to 160 deportees for $5.1 million.
- Deportees include men from Vietnam, Cuba, Chad, Cambodia, and the Philippines.
- Human rights groups and lawyers are challenging the legality of the agreement.
- The U.S. has similar deals with several other countries.
Eswatini Accepts U.S. Deportees Amid Mounting Legal Challenges
On Monday, the Kingdom of Eswatini confirmed the arrival of 10 foreign nationals deported from the United States, marking another chapter in the Trump administration’s campaign to relocate migrants to so-called “third countries.” The move follows a similar transfer in July, when Eswatini became the second African nation, after South Sudan, to receive non-citizen migrants expelled from U.S. soil. Axios, CNN, and RFI report that these arrangements are part of a broader international strategy, one that is drawing increasing scrutiny from legal experts, human rights organizations, and local activists.
Who Are the Deportees? Nationalities and Criminal Backgrounds
The latest group includes three Vietnamese men, one Filipino, one Cambodian, and individuals from Chad and Cuba. According to Eswatini’s Correctional Services, these men were securely housed in Matsapha Correctional Centre, the country’s maximum-security facility. Some had been convicted of serious crimes, including murder and rape, in the United States. The government has remained tight-lipped about specific details, citing security and privacy concerns, but it confirmed that the detainees are in good health and currently undergoing standard admissions procedures.
This group joins five others sent in July, who originated from Vietnam, Jamaica, Laos, Yemen, and Cuba. Notably, one Jamaican national has already been repatriated, with negotiations underway for the return of others. The Eswatini government says it will facilitate “orderly repatriation” to their home countries, though legal advocates question the transparency and legality of this process.
Financial Incentives and the Scope of the U.S.-Eswatini Agreement
At the heart of the arrangement lies a written agreement between Eswatini and the United States, reportedly promising $5.1 million in financial assistance to bolster Eswatini’s border and migration management capabilities. In exchange, Eswatini has agreed to accept up to 160 deportees from various countries over an unspecified period. Similar deals exist with South Sudan, Rwanda, Ghana, Uganda, Kosovo, and Mexico.
While the U.S. administration presents these deals as pragmatic solutions to immigration challenges, critics argue that they turn countries like Eswatini into “dumping grounds” for migrants, often with little recourse or protection. President Donald Trump, addressing supporters in Arizona, characterized the U.S. as “a garbage can for the world,” underscoring the administration’s aggressive stance on deportation.
Legal and Human Rights Concerns: Protests and Court Challenges
Opposition to the third-country deportation system is growing, both within Eswatini and internationally. Lawyers representing detainees have filed court challenges, questioning the legality of the government’s actions and demanding public disclosure of the agreement’s terms. Human Rights Watch and other organizations argue that the practice violates global rights law, especially when individuals are sent to countries where they risk torture, abduction, or are denied due process.
Attorney Tin Thanh Nguyen, who represents several of the deportees, highlighted the lack of access to clients and the difficulties in communication. “Even if my clients are successfully repatriated tomorrow, these third-country deportations remain illegal and must be stopped before hundreds more people are unjustly subjected to this system,” Nguyen said. Reports indicate that detainees, particularly from the first group, were held in solitary confinement, raising further questions about detention conditions.
The Eswatini Correctional Services department responded, stating it “remains committed to the humane treatment of all persons in its custody.” However, human rights advocates remain skeptical, pointing to ongoing restrictions on attorney access and limited transparency regarding detainee welfare.
Regional and International Impact: A New Model for Deportation?
The U.S. has expanded the practice of deporting migrants not to their countries of origin, but to third nations willing to accept them. This approach, now implemented in several African and Central American countries, has reshaped diplomatic ties and sparked intense debate about the responsibilities of receiving nations.
In Uganda, officials stated that only migrants without criminal records and those not classified as unaccompanied minors would be accepted. Rwanda and Ghana have also confirmed their participation in similar agreements, though public backlash has forced some governments to reconsider or clarify their positions. In Panama and El Salvador, hundreds have been deported under emergency legal provisions, sometimes before their asylum claims were heard.
For Eswatini, a small mountain kingdom bordering South Africa, the program has brought international attention—and controversy. Local activists insist the arrangement undermines Eswatini’s legal standards and places undue burden on its correctional system. Government officials, meanwhile, maintain that all agreements are lawful and in the nation’s best interests.
Future Uncertain as Activists Push for Change
As Eswatini continues to process new arrivals, the debate shows no signs of abating. Legal battles are ongoing, with civil society groups demanding greater accountability and transparency. International organizations warn that the system could expand, putting more migrants at risk and raising uncomfortable questions about global migration policy.
For the men detained in Eswatini, the path forward remains unclear. Some may be repatriated to their home countries, while others face indefinite detention as legal and diplomatic negotiations unfold. The broader implications—for Eswatini, the United States, and the international community—are still coming into focus.
The Eswatini-U.S. deportation agreement highlights the complexities of modern migration policy, where financial incentives and diplomatic pressures intersect with legal and ethical challenges. As scrutiny intensifies, both nations—and the people caught in the system—must navigate a landscape where humanitarian concerns clash with political realities.