U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has notified high-profile undocumented immigrant Kilmar Abrego Garcia that he will be removed to Eswatini, a small landlocked kingdom in southern Africa, according to a removal notice shared with Fox News.
The notice, prepared by an attorney representing the Department of Homeland Security and ICE, says Abrego Garcia previously had been designated to be removed to Uganda but that his counsel had informed the agency he feared persecution there. It adds that Abrego Garcia, through his lawyers, has claimed fear of persecution or torture in at least 22 different countries and concludes, "we hereby notify you that your new country of removal is Eswatini, Africa." The notice begins, "Dear Mr. Abrego Garcia, As you know, the United States seeks to remove you from the United States based on your final order of removal. Currently, you are designated to be removed to Uganda. Your attorney has informed us, however, that you fear persecution or torture in Uganda."
The removal notice questions the credibility of the broad claims of fear, stating, "That claim of fear is hard to take seriously, especially given that you have claimed (through your attorneys) that you fear persecution or torture in at least 22 different countries." The notice also reiterates that the agency seeks to carry out a final order of removal.
Abrego Garcia has been characterized by federal authorities and media reports as an alleged gang member. His case has drawn attention in immigration enforcement circles and, according to reporting, has been tied to personnel changes at the Justice Department and has been cited by supporters of the administration's broader deportation priorities. The removal notice shared with Fox News did not include a timetable for the transfer to Eswatini.
ICE did not provide additional public comment in the material shared with Fox News. Abrego Garcia's attorneys have previously raised fears of persecution in foreign countries as a basis to resist or modify removal plans, and the agency's response, as reflected in the notice, portrays those claims as inconsistent when raised against multiple potential destinations.
Deportation to third countries is sometimes used when an individual's country of origin will not accept return or when travel documentation issues arise. The notice indicates the agency treated the earlier designation to Uganda as no longer viable given the claimed fear and selected Eswatini as an alternative country of removal.
The case remains part of a larger and often contentious national debate over immigration enforcement and removal procedures. Legal challenges and appeals frequently follow final orders of removal, and advocacy groups and defense attorneys may pursue further litigation on behalf of detainees who assert credible fear of persecution or torture if returned to certain countries. The immediate next steps for Abrego Garcia and any potential legal responses by his attorneys were not detailed in the removal notice made available to Fox News.
