Increased Number of Deportees Arrive in Eswatini from the U.S.

U.S. Deportees to Eswatini Under Secretive Agreements

Migrants Arrive in Eswatini Amid International Scrutiny

Ten migrants deported from the United States landed in Eswatini on Monday, as confirmed by governmental authorities in the African nation. This group adds to the growing number of over 40 deportees sent to African countries since July due to agreements made during the Trump administration. These deals, shrouded in secrecy, have faced backlash from various rights organizations.

Complex Deportation Journey Through Several Countries

The deportees undertook a complex journey, departing from Alexandria, Louisiana, with stopovers in Puerto Rico, Senegal, and Angola, before finally arriving in Eswatini. Tin Thanh Nguyen, an attorney based in the United States, represents two of the Vietnamese nationals on the flight. Utilizing assistance from Human Rights First, Nguyen meticulously tracked their transit.

Eswatini Government’s Response and Legal Challenges

The Eswatini government acknowledged the arrival of the deportees, who are currently housed in a local correctional facility. While the authorities assured that the migrants are in good health, they withheld further details such as their nationalities. Legal tensions have arisen, with Nguyen representing two men deported in July from countries including Cuba, Laos, Yemen, and Vietnam, who remain without charge in a maximum-security facility.

Deportation Deals and International Agreements

Documents reviewed by Human Rights Watch reveal the U.S.-Eswatini agreement includes a $5.1 million payment intended to facilitate 160 deportations. This arrangement is one of several, with other deportees sent to countries like South Sudan, Rwanda, and Ghana. An agreement exists with Uganda as well, though no deportations have been executed there.

Criticism and Implications of Deportation Practices

Rights groups have criticized these agreements for potentially denying due process to migrants. In Ghana, eleven out of fourteen deportees are legally challenging the conditions of their detention, claiming inadequate facilities. Similarly, details about the deportees’ conditions in South Sudan and Rwanda remain sparse, raising further international concern.

The Eswatini government remains resolute in its commitment to the humane treatment of all individuals in custody, yet the appeals process challenges transparency. Meanwhile, U.S. authorities continue to redirect inquiries to the Eswatini officials, placing the kingdom’s stringent governance and its impact under the spotlight.