U.S. suddenly sends more deportees to a small African kingdom as $5.1 million deal faces fresh backlash

The U.S. has sent more deportees to Eswatini, a small Southern African kingdom, under a highly controversial migration pact. On Thursday, the government of Eswatini announced that it had “received two more third-country nationals deported from the United States” as part of their bilateral agreement.

• The United States has deported more third-country nationals to Eswatini under a controversial migration agreement.
• Two new deportees from Latin America recently arrived in Eswatini, bringing the total to over 30 since last year.
• The deportations are part of a $5.1 million deal between the U.S. and Eswatini, which faces legal and public scrutiny.
• Human rights groups and lawyers are challenging the agreement.

New deportees arrive in Eswatini under U.S. bilateral pact

The official government statement explained that the two newly arrived individuals were “Latin American,” though their specific names and nationalities were not released.

This latest transfer brings the total number of people deported from the U.S. to Eswatini to more than 30 since last year.

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Previously, the flights have transported men from a wide array of countries, including Vietnam, Jamaica, Cuba, Yemen and other countries.

Rights groups challenge the $5.1 million U.S. and Eswatini deal

The transfers are taking place under a $5.1 million agreement between Washington and Eswatini, which is currently facing intense legal and public scrutiny.

Lawyers and human rights organizations have mounted active challenges against the deal, raising serious concerns about the treatment of the individuals sent to Eswatini.

According to Reuters, some activists and lawyers warn that “some deportees are being detained in Eswatini despite having already served criminal sentences in the United States“.

This detention of individuals who have already completed their sentences has sparked fresh backlash from advocates who question the legality and ethics of the program.

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Eswatini is not the only nation involved in these arrangements. The Trump administration has actively deported migrants to various other countries across Africa, Asia and the Americas as part of a broader crackdown on immigration.

However, the unique and costly arrangement with Eswatini continues to draw local and international attention.