BLACK mobile logo

california

community

10 More Deportees From the US Arrive In the African Nation of Eswatini

October 9, 2025

The United States has recently expanded its third-country deportation program, with 10 more migrants arriving in Eswatini on October 6, bringing the total African deportations since July to over 40. These deportations are part of largely secretive agreements between the U.S. and at least five African nations, which have drawn protests from rights groups. Four previous deportees to Eswatini have been held in a maximum-security prison without charges for nearly three months, while Human Rights Watch revealed the U.S. will pay Eswatini $5.

Who is affected

  • 10 recent migrants deported from the U.S. to Eswatini
  • Four previous deportees (from Cuba, Laos, Vietnam and Yemen) held in Eswatini's maximum-security Matsapha prison
  • Six deportees detained in South Sudan
  • Seven deportees held in Rwanda
  • Fourteen deportees sent to Ghana (eleven of whom are suing the government)
  • Kilmar Abrego Garcia, whom the U.S. wants to deport to Eswatini
  • The people of Eswatini, a nation of about 1.2 million people

What action is being taken

  • The U.S. is actively deporting migrants to African nations under the third-country deportation program
  • Eswatini is currently holding deportees in correctional facilities while they undergo "admission processes"
  • Civic groups in Eswatini are protesting against the deportations and pursuing a court case against authorities
  • Eleven deportees in Ghana are suing the government over detention conditions at a military camp
  • An Eswatini-based lawyer is attempting to gain access to the detained deportees after winning a court ruling (which the government has appealed)

Why it matters

  • The deportation program involves largely secretive agreements between the U.S. and African nations
  • Human Rights Watch documents show the U.S. is paying Eswatini $5.1 million to accept up to 160 deportees
  • Deportees are being held in detention facilities without being charged with crimes
  • The deportations are happening to countries where some migrants have no connection
  • Eswatini is ruled by King Mswati III who holds absolute power, with political parties effectively banned
  • Rights groups and others have protested against these deportation arrangements

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint