Eswatini receives 11 deported individuals from the US in immigration enforcement action.
Eswatini Accepts Fourth Group of U.S. Deportees Under Bilateral Agreement
MBABANE, Eswatini — The kingdom of Eswatini has confirmed the arrival of 11 individuals recently deported from the United States, marking the fourth group accepted under a bilateral agreement to accommodate third-country nationals. The announcement was made by the acting government spokesperson, Thabile Mdluli, who stated that this latest group predominantly comprises individuals from various African nations.
Mdluli emphasized that while the deportees remain in Eswatini, their fundamental rights will be respected and protected in accordance with the country’s laws and its international obligations. They will temporarily reside in Eswatini as measures are implemented to ensure both the safety of the deportees and the security of the kingdom and its citizens.
According to informal sources, these individuals are anticipated to be housed at the Matsapha Maximum Security Prison. Eswatini, with a population of approximately 1.2 million, began accepting deportees from the United States in 2025 under an evolving agreement that allows for the hosting of individuals who cannot be directly returned to their countries of origin. This latest group signifies an ongoing commitment under this arrangement.
The deportations are part of a broader strategy by the previous U.S. administration, which, under President Donald Trump, aimed to streamline immigration policies. Advocates report that thousands have been deported under often opaque agreements to numerous countries that serve as transit points. Countries such as the Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Sierra Leone, and the Congo have also been involved in similar arrangements.
The specifics of the agreement between the Eswatini government and Washington have not been disclosed, including details concerning the deportees’ nationalities, legal status, or the duration of their stay in Eswatini. The arrangement has been controversial, facing criticism from various human rights organizations regarding a lack of transparency and parliamentary oversight.
Civic groups within Eswatini are actively challenging the legal grounds for the holding of foreign nationals in custody without charges. Under the current protocol, deportees could be held in Eswatini for up to a year. Human rights lawyer Mzwandile Masuku highlighted the dangers of normalizing such practices, warning that they reflect a lack of institutional accountability on an international scale.
Despite the growing concerns, the Eswatini government insists that this agreement aligns with its humanitarian values, while also respecting the sovereignty of the nation and its legal framework. To date, only two individuals previously deported to Eswatini have repatriated to their home countries, specifically Cambodia and Jamaica, indicating a complex situation ahead for those awaiting their fates in Eswatini.
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