What's happened
On July 16-18, 2025, the US deported five convicted criminal migrants to Eswatini under its third-country deportation program. The men, from Vietnam, Jamaica, Cuba, Yemen, and Laos, are held in solitary confinement in Eswatini’s correctional facilities. Their home countries refused to accept them. Eswatini plans eventual repatriation with UN help, though timelines remain unclear amid human rights concerns.
What's behind the headline?
US Third-Country Deportations: A Strategic and Controversial Shift
The Trump administration’s policy to deport convicted migrants to third countries like Eswatini marks a significant shift in US immigration enforcement. This approach circumvents traditional deportations to migrants’ home countries, often due to refusal of repatriation by those states.
Behind the Policy
- The US aims to remove individuals deemed dangerous but who cannot be returned home, framing this as a national security measure.
- Countries like Eswatini and South Sudan, despite documented human rights abuses and political instability, have been enlisted, likely influenced by diplomatic and economic incentives.
Human Rights and Legal Concerns
- Eswatini’s prisons suffer from overcrowding, poor conditions, and reports of torture, raising ethical questions about the treatment of deportees.
- The rapid deportations limit migrants’ ability to challenge removals legally, as highlighted by dissenting US Supreme Court justices.
Geopolitical Implications
- African nations’ acceptance of deportees may be tied to broader US diplomatic strategies, including trade and aid negotiations.
- The secrecy around agreements and detention conditions fuels international criticism and undermines transparency.
Forecast
This policy will likely expand, with more third-country deportations to nations with fragile governance. Human rights scrutiny and legal challenges will intensify, but the US administration appears committed to this approach. The long-term impact on migrants’ rights and bilateral relations with host countries remains uncertain.
What the papers say
The Guardian and The Independent provide detailed accounts of the deportations, quoting Eswatini’s spokesperson Thabile Mdluli, who confirmed the men’s detention and plans for eventual repatriation with UN assistance, though timelines are unclear. The Guardian highlights the US Department of Homeland Security’s description of the men as convicted of "uniquely barbaric" crimes, including murder and child rape, and notes the secrecy of the US-Eswatini agreement. Al Jazeera emphasizes the human rights concerns, citing reports of torture and poor prison conditions in Eswatini and South Sudan, and includes dissenting opinions from US Supreme Court justices on the legality of such deportations. AP News and All Africa discuss the broader US strategy of third-country deportations, noting ongoing talks with other African nations and resistance from countries like Nigeria. The South China Morning Post provides context on Eswatini’s political system as an absolute monarchy with a controversial human rights record. The New Arab focuses on the earlier deportations to South Sudan, highlighting international criticism and the precarious political situation there. Together, these sources illustrate a complex, contentious policy with significant human rights and diplomatic ramifications.
How we got here
The Trump administration expanded a controversial third-country deportation policy, sending migrants convicted of serious crimes to countries that refuse their return. This follows earlier deportations to South Sudan and Central American nations. Eswatini, an absolute monarchy with documented human rights issues, agreed after months of negotiations to accept five such deportees, raising concerns about prison conditions and due process.
Go deeper
- Why did Eswatini agree to accept these deportees?
- What are the human rights concerns related to these deportations?
- How does the US justify sending migrants to countries with poor prison conditions?
Common question
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Why Is the US Deporting Migrants to Eswatini Now?
The United States has recently expanded its deportation policies to include sending convicted migrants to Eswatini, a move that has sparked widespread debate. Many are asking why Eswatini is now part of this program, which other countries are affected, and what the implications are for human rights and US immigration laws. Below, we explore these questions and more to help you understand this complex issue.
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Why Is the US Deporting Convicted Migrants to Eswatini?
Recent US deportations have seen convicted migrants sent to Eswatini, raising questions about the reasons behind this controversial policy. Many wonder why Eswatini is involved, what human rights concerns exist, and what this means for migrants and international relations. Below, we explore the key questions surrounding this complex issue.
More on these topics
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Eswatini, officially the Kingdom of Eswatini, sometimes written in English as eSwatini, and formerly and still commonly known in English as Swaziland, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa.
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The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or America, is a country mostly located in central North America, between Canada and Mexico.
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
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Mswati III is the king of Eswatini and head of the Swazi Royal Family. He was born in Manzini in the Protectorate of Swaziland to King Sobhuza II and one of his younger wives, Ntfombi Tfwala.
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The United States Department of Homeland Security is the U.S. federal executive department responsible for public security, roughly comparable to the interior or home ministries of other countries.
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South Sudan, officially known as the Republic of South Sudan, is a landlocked country in East-Central Africa. It is bordered to the east by Ethiopia, to the north by Sudan, to the west by the Central African Republic, to the south-west by Democratic Repub