U.S. Expands Third-Country Deportation Program to Eswatini

Tone & Political Bias: Strongly Right-Leaning

Why: The article heavily uses official language from the Trump administration, emphasizes criminality, and lacks counter-narratives or humanitarian framing regarding the deportees.

What Happened

The United States has deported five men—citizens of Vietnam, Jamaica, Cuba, Yemen, and Laos—to the southern African nation of Eswatini, expanding its third-country deportation program under the Trump administration. These deportees were described by U.S. officials as convicted criminals whose home countries refused to accept them.

Who They Are

• The men were labeled by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as “barbaric” criminals.

• They were convicted of crimes including murder and child rape.

• One individual is a confirmed gang member, according to U.S. officials.

• Their names have not been disclosed, but mug shots and criminal records were shared online by Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin.

  
  

Why Eswatini?

• Eswatini, formerly Swaziland, is a small, resource-strapped country located between South Africa and Mozambique.

• It is one of the last absolute monarchies in the world, ruled by King Mswati III since 1986.

• The U.S. government did not clarify why Eswatini was selected or whether a formal deportation agreement exists.

  
  

No Public Agreement

• The Eswatini government has not confirmed any agreement with the U.S.

• Pro-democracy group SWALIMO criticized the lack of transparency and questioned the country’s ability to manage such deportees.

• There is no information on the current detention status, legal rights, or future plans for the five men.

  
  

Concerns from Civil Society

• SWALIMO spokesperson Ingiphile Dlamini called the deportation process opaque and warned of potential risks to local communities.

• Dlamini emphasized that Eswatini lacks the infrastructure and resources to manage individuals with such serious criminal histories.

  
  

Broader U.S. Deportation Strategy

• The Trump administration has revived and expanded third-country deportations, targeting individuals whose home nations refuse to receive them.

• This strategy involves sending deportees to countries with which they have no legal or personal ties.

  
  

Other Cases: South Sudan

• Earlier this month, eight other men were deported from the U.S. to South Sudan.

• Like Eswatini, South Sudan has not publicly disclosed any formal deal with the U.S.

• Civil society in South Sudan expressed concern, warning the country was not a “dumping ground for criminals.”

• These men were previously held at a U.S. military base in Djibouti before being sent to South Sudan.

  
  

Future Expansion

• The U.S. has sent other deportees to countries in Latin America, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Panama.

• African countries are now being explored as potential hosts for third-country deportees.

• Rwanda confirmed that discussions with the U.S. are ongoing about accepting deported individuals.

• However, not all countries are on board. Nigeria, for instance, has rejected U.S. pressure to accept third-country deportees.

  
  

Geopolitical Implications

• Analysts suggest some African countries may agree to take in deportees in exchange for U.S. incentives like foreign aid, tariff concessions, or relaxed visa policies.

• No such terms have been officially disclosed in the cases of Eswatini or South Sudan.

  
  

Human Rights Questions Remain

• Civic groups and rights organizations in Eswatini and South Sudan are demanding clarity on the legal basis, human rights safeguards, and long-term plans for these deportees.

• The issue also raises concerns about due process, lack of transparency, and the ethical implications of relocating individuals to unfamiliar and politically repressive environments.