Eswatini has pushed back against assertions by the United States that a group of deported ex-convicts could not be returned to their countries of origin due to the refusal by those governments.
- Eswatini opposed claims by the US regarding receiving deported ex-convicts as a final destination.
- Eswatini stated its role was to facilitate transit to the deportees’ countries of origin with US and IOM cooperation.
- The US began third-country deportations under a Supreme Court ruling during President Trump’s administration.
According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the deportees—who had been convicted of serious crimes—originated from Vietnam, Jamaica, Laos, Yemen, and Cuba.
Their removal marks the first instance of a third-country deportation under President Donald Trump’s expanded immigration enforcement strategy, following a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling authorizing such transfers.
In a statement on Wednesday, the government of Eswatini clarified that it is working with the United States and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to facilitate the deportees’ return to their countries of origin.
Eswatini clarifies migrant role
The statement from Eswatini’s government has openly contradicted the claims made by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regarding the group of deported ex-convicts.
Homeland Security had claimed the deportation was necessary because the migrants’ home countries, Vietnam, Jamaica, Laos, Yemen, and Cuba, had refused to accept them back.
In a post on X, DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin stated: “A safe third-country deportation flight to Eswatini in Southern Africa has landed. This flight took individuals so uniquely barbaric that their home countries refused to take them back.”
However, Eswatini’s government has pushed back, clarifying that the kingdom is not serving as a final destination for the migrants.
Instead, it emphasized that it is cooperating with the United States and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to “facilitate the transit of these inmates to their countries of origin,” according to government spokeswoman Thabile Mdluli.
Adding to the confusion, The New York Times reports that the IOM denied involvement in the removal process. A spokesperson confirmed that the organization “had no involvement in the removal of the migrants from the United States and had not been asked to provide any support with repatriation.”
The developments highlight growing diplomatic tensions and the practical difficulties of enforcing third-country deportations under President Donald Trump’s immigration policy.
