Two migrants deported from the United States have arrived in Eswatini, southern African authorities announced, under an agreement between the two countries that has faced criticism from rights groups. The individuals, described as "third-party nationals" from Latin America, arrived following consultations between the U.S. and Eswatini, according to a government statement.
This marks the fifth group of deportees sent from the U.S. to the landlocked African kingdom since the initial arrivals in July 2025. Some individuals from earlier deportations have since been repatriated. Notably, a Jamaican man was sent back to his home country in September, and a Cambodian man was released in March for repatriation after a five-month detention.
Immigration lawyers have stated that such agreements, often conducted in secrecy, allow the U.S. to deport asylum seekers to countries they fled, effectively circumventing standard asylum procedures. The Trump administration has reportedly deported thousands of individuals to two dozen countries that are not their own as part of its immigration enforcement efforts.
Approximately 11 such agreements are understood to be with African nations, including Rwanda, Ghana, Cameroon, Congo, Uganda, Sierra Leone, and the Central African Republic. The selection of certain African countries, such as Eswatini, South Sudan, and Equatorial Guinea, for these deals has drawn scrutiny due to their governments' reputations for repression and poor human rights records. Eswatini's King Mswati III has faced accusations of suppressing pro-democracy movements.
Liberia has become a significant recipient in the U.S. third-country deportation plan, agreeing to accept up to 1,200 migrants. In July, Eswatini's government reported that two of its three citizens deported to the kingdom had declined offers of repatriation to the Caribbean nation. The identities, nationalities, and intended duration of stay for the two most recent deportees in Eswatini were not disclosed.
Pro-democracy and civil rights organizations have been actively opposing Eswatini's agreement to accept third-country deportees from the U.S. through protests, legal challenges, and public opposition.