10 US deportees land in Eswatini enhancing ongoing repatriation efforts
New Developments in U.S. Deportation Program: Eswatini Receives 10 Migrants
Eswatini Welcomes New Group of Deportees Amid Controversy
The African kingdom of Eswatini received a group of 10 deportees from the United States early Monday. These individuals are the latest among more than 40 deportees sent to Africa since July under new third-country agreements made by the previous U.S. administration. Despite facing opposition from human rights organizations, these agreements were reached with at least five African nations.
Details of the Recent Deportation
The deportees arrived in Eswatini after their flight departed from Alexandria, Louisiana, and made stops in Puerto Rico, Senegal, and Angola. According to Tin Thanh Nguyen, a U.S.-based lawyer for two of the deportees, the individuals had been held at the Alexandria Staging Facility immigration detention center in Louisiana. Nguyen has been closely tracking the flight with assistance from Human Rights First.
Conditions of Arrival and Current Status
The Eswatini government confirmed that the deportees are being held at one of the country’s correctional facilities. While they have reported that the individuals are in good health, the government has not provided additional details on their nationalities or specific locations. The kingdom remains committed to ensuring humane treatment for those in custody.
Previous Deportation Cases and Legal Battles
Four men from Cuba, Laos, Vietnam, and Yemen, deported in mid-July, remain in Eswatini’s Matsapha maximum-security prison without charges. While their U.S.-based lawyers have stayed in contact, an Eswatini-based lawyer has faced legal hurdles in gaining access, despite a court ruling in his favor.
Wider Implications and International Reactions
International rights groups have criticized the U.S. deportation agreements, especially concerning the lack of due process and transparency. Documents from Human Rights Watch indicate that the U.S. agreed to pay Eswatini $5.1 million to accommodate up to 160 deportees. Similar arrangements have led to deportations to South Sudan, Rwanda, and Ghana, with ongoing legal actions and conditions sparking concern.
Broader Context of U.S. Deportation Strategies
The deportation agreements form part of wider U.S. efforts to handle undocumented migrants. While some countries like Uganda have not yet announced any deportations, the repercussions of these deals continue to unfold across the African continent, raising ethical and political questions that resonate globally.
