Eswatini received its third batch of deported migrants from the United States on Thursday, with four African nationals—a Tanzanian, a Sudanese, and two Somalis—arriving in the kingdom. The flight marks the latest step in a largely secretive US immigration policy that has sent at least 19 people to Eswatini in three batches since last July.
The Trump administration has expanded its deportation strategy to include third-country agreements with at least seven African nations, including Ghana, Rwanda, Uganda, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, and South Sudan. These deals are part of a broader effort that has cost at least $40 million to deport roughly 300 migrants to countries other than their own across Africa, Central America, and beyond, according to a recent Senate Foreign Relations Committee report.
Eswatini, an absolute monarchy ruled by King Mswati III, has faced international criticism for its human rights record, particularly regarding the suppression of pro-democracy movements. The deportations have sparked protests from civic groups within the country, who argue that the agreements undermine the rights and dignity of the deportees.
The latest group of deportees will be repatriated to their countries of origin—Tanzania, Sudan, and Somalia—while negotiations continue for others held in Eswatini. The Swazi government stated it remains committed to upholding the rights of the third-country nationals during their stay.
The policy reflects the administration’s hard-line approach to immigration, prioritizing rapid removal over individual asylum claims and due process. Critics argue that sending individuals to countries with which they have no ties, and where they may face instability or persecution, violates international refugee protections and humanitarian principles.
The secrecy surrounding these agreements has drawn condemnation from human rights organizations, which say the lack of transparency prevents public scrutiny and accountability. As the US continues to expand these deals, the impact on vulnerable migrants and the nations receiving them remains a growing concern.