Mbabane, Eswatini – The government of Eswatini announced on Thursday that it received two more third‑country nationals deported from the United States under the bilateral agreement signed between the two nations. While the statement did not disclose the exact nationalities, officials confirmed the individuals were from Latin America.
This latest transfer raises the cumulative total of people sent from the United States to the small Southern African kingdom to over 30 since the program began last year. The Trump administration has used the agreement as part of its broader crackdown on illegal immigration, extending the practice to several other countries across Africa, Asia and the Americas.
Background on the U.S.–Eswatini deportation agreement
The $5.1 million arrangement, negotiated by the Trump administration, allows the United States to relocate migrants who have exhausted their legal avenues in the United States to partner nations willing to accept them. Critics, including human‑rights lawyers and advocacy groups, have challenged the deal, arguing that some deportees are being detained in Eswatini even after completing criminal sentences in the United States.
Previous deportation flights have included individuals from Vietnam, Jamaica, Cuba, Yemen and other nations. The agreement has been framed by the administration as a practical solution to reduce the burden on U.S. immigration courts and detention facilities, while offering partner countries a modest financial contribution.
Legal and humanitarian concerns
Legal experts contend that the arrangement may conflict with international refugee and human‑rights standards, particularly when deportees are transferred to countries with limited capacity to monitor their status or provide adequate support. Rights groups have called for greater transparency and oversight, urging the United States to ensure that deportees are not subjected to further unlawful detention.
Eswatini’s government, however, maintains that it is honoring its obligations under the agreement and that the individuals will be processed in accordance with domestic law. The ministry did not provide details on the next steps for the two new arrivals.
Implications for U.S. immigration policy
The continued use of third‑country deportations reflects the Trump administration’s emphasis on strict immigration enforcement. By partnering with nations like Eswatini, the administration seeks to demonstrate a proactive stance on reducing illegal immigration, a core promise of its platform.
Supporters argue that the policy helps protect American jobs and public safety, while opponents warn that it may shift the humanitarian burden onto vulnerable populations abroad. As the program expands, monitoring its impact on both the United States and partner countries will be essential.
For now, the two latest deportees join a growing list of migrants who have been sent to Eswatini, underscoring the administration’s commitment to enforcing its immigration agenda on a global scale.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
