Eswatini accepts 10 US deportees despite legal challenge

October 6, 2025

The United States has deported 10 people to Eswatini as part of the Trump administration's hard-line immigration approach, despite ongoing legal challenges from human rights groups in the African nation. This marks the second group of deportees sent to Eswatini following an agreement where the US would provide $5. 1 million in exchange for accepting up to 160 deportees.

Who is affected

The 10 deportees sent from the US to Eswatini
Previous five deportees from Jamaica, Cuba, Laos, Vietnam and Yemen
Kilmar Ábrego García, a Salvadoran man potentially facing deportation to Eswatini
Eswatini citizens whose constitutional rights may be affected by the agreement
Neighboring South Africa, which expressed concerns about deportees crossing the border
Human rights groups and civil society organizations in Eswatini

What action is being taken

The US is deporting individuals to Eswatini as part of an immigration agreement
Eswatini's government is housing the deportees in "secured accommodation" separate from the public
Human rights lawyers and civil society groups are pursuing legal action against the deportation agreement
The Jamaican deportee from the first group has been repatriated to his country of origin, with two more expected to be repatriated soon
A court case against the deportations is set to resume in Mbabane

Why it matters

The agreement involves Eswatini accepting up to 160 deportees in exchange for $5.1 million from the US
Civil society groups argue the deal violates Eswatini's constitution as it lacked parliamentary approval
Activists view the agreement as an example of "democratic regression" and "executive over-reach"
The deal raises concerns about the rule of law and separation of powers in Eswatini, 20 years after adopting a constitution
South Africa has expressed fears about deportees potentially crossing their porous border with Eswatini

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article, though it mentions a court case against the deportations is set to resume in Mbabane the day after the latest deportees arrived.

Read full article from source: BBC