The Trump administration has deported five foreign nationals—from Vietnam, Jamaica, Laos, Cuba, and Yemen—to Eswatini after their home countries refused to take them back due to their serious criminal convictions. These individuals were convicted of crimes including murder, child rape, and gang-related offence.
According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the five men were considered “uniquely barbaric” and dangerous to American communities. The deportation was carried out under a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that allows deportations to third countries even when the individuals’ countries of origin refuse to accept them. This policy change permits removals without detailed case-by-case reviews, sometimes with less than six hours’ notice.
Eswatini, a small southern African monarchy ruled by King Mswati III, has accepted the individuals temporarily. According to government spokesperson Thabile Mdluli, the deportees are being held in isolation and do not pose a threat to the public. Plans are in place to eventually repatriate them to their countries of origin through assistance from the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The move has sparked serious concern among human rights groups, who point to Eswatini’s poor human rights record, including reports of police brutality, lack of due process, and overcrowded prisons. Critics argue that sending vulnerable individuals to a country with such conditions may violate international human rights laws and standards.
This deportation is part of a broader strategy by President Donald Trump to remove foreign criminals whose countries decline repatriation, with other similar deportations being considered for South Sudan, El Salvador, Costa Rica, and possibly Rwanda.
Credit: Africanews
