The tiny African kingdom of Eswatini announced on Wednesday its decision to repatriate five migrants who had been deported there by the United States. This announcement came a day after American officials indicated that the migrants' home countries had refused to accept them.
The migrants, who originated from Vietnam, Jamaica, Laos, Yemen, and Cuba, were serving time in American prisons for serious offenses, as reported by the Department of Homeland Security.
This deportation marks the first instance of a so-called third-country deportation from the United States following a recent Supreme Court ruling that allowed the Trump administration to proceed with this practice.
Homeland Security Department Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin noted on social media that the flight included individuals whose home countries had declined to take them back. However, Eswatini's government spokeswoman, Thabile Mdluli, stated that the governments of Eswatini and the United States, along with the International Organization for Migration, would facilitate the transit of these individuals to their countries of origin.
The International Organization for Migration clarified that it had no role in the removal of the migrants from the United States and had not been requested to assist with their repatriation.
The Trump administration has actively sought to establish agreements with international partners willing to accept deportees. Legal experts have raised concerns regarding the potential mistreatment and torture of these individuals upon their return.
Earlier this month, the Supreme Court permitted the deportation of eight men to South Sudan, although they hail from different countries. Their families have reported a lack of communication since their deportation. South Sudanese officials have stated that the men are “under the care of the relevant authorities,” but have not provided further details.
In response to the Supreme Court decision, immigration officials have quickly implemented new regulations allowing for third-country deportations to occur in as little as six hours, even without guarantees of the migrants' safety.
Former immigration officials view these deportation initiatives as part of a broader strategy to encourage self-deportation among migrants. Legal representatives for the migrants sent to South Sudan have criticized these actions as violations of laws prohibiting deportation to countries where individuals may face persecution or torture.
Critics have characterized the deportations to Eswatini as politically motivated, suggesting they serve as a form of political theater by the administration.
Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, is situated between South Africa and Mozambique and is one of the few remaining monarchies in Africa. The kingdom faces internal divisions, with some citizens praising its traditional governance while others criticize the stark contrast between the lavish lifestyle of King Mswati III and the widespread poverty among the population of approximately 1.2 million.
Concerns regarding Eswatini's human rights record have been raised by both its citizens and foreign governments, with accusations of excessive force against opponents of the monarchy.
Opposition figures have condemned the arrival of the deportees. Lioness Sibande, secretary general of the Swaziland Peoples Liberation Movement, described the situation as “appalling” and indicative of a historical pattern of exploitation of African nations by the West.
In her statement, Mdluli attempted to address public concerns, stating that the deportees are being held in isolation units at correctional facilities. She emphasized that the decision to accept these migrants followed months of discussions and thorough risk assessments to ensure the safety of Eswatini's citizens.
Mdluli also noted that she could not disclose any details regarding what Eswatini received in exchange for accepting the migrants, as the terms of the agreement with the United States are classified.