The United States has transferred two more third-country nationals deported from American soil to the Kingdom of Eswatini under a contentious $5.1 million bilateral migration agreement, according to a government announcement released on Thursday. The latest arrivals bring the total number of individuals deported under the pact to more than 30 since last year, according to official figures.
Eswatini Migration Pact Details and Arrivals
The Eswatini government confirmed that the newly arrived individuals are Latin American men, though officials withheld their specific names and nationalities. According to previous government reports, earlier flights under the pact transported men from a wide array of countries, including Vietnam, Jamaica, Cuba, and Yemen. The arrangement forms part of broader U.S. deportation efforts targeting migrants across Africa, Asia, and the Americas under the immigration enforcement framework pursued by the Trump administration.
Did you know? The bilateral agreement between Washington and Eswatini involves a $5.1 million financial framework to accept third-country deportees who cannot be readily returned to their countries of origin.
Legal Challenges and Human Rights Concerns
The transfers are facing intense legal and public scrutiny as lawyers and human rights organizations mount active challenges against the deal. According to Reuters reporting, activists and legal advocates warn that some deportees are being detained in Eswatini despite having already served criminal sentences in the United States. This ongoing detention of individuals who completed their U.S. prison terms has sparked fresh backlash from watchdogs questioning the ethics and legality of the remote transfer program.
Pro Tip: To track ongoing litigation and human rights filings related to third-country deportations, monitor updates from international legal organizations and wire services such as Reuters.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people have been deported to Eswatini under the U.S. agreement?
More than 30 individuals have been transferred to Eswatini since the program began last year, according to government data.
What are the nationalities of the deportees sent to Eswatini?
Deportees have originated from various countries across multiple regions, including recent arrivals from Latin America, as well as previous flights carrying men from Vietnam, Jamaica, Cuba, and Yemen.
Why are human rights groups challenging the Eswatini deal?
According to Reuters, advocates object to the $5.1 million agreement because some transferred individuals are reportedly being detained in Eswatini despite having already completed their criminal sentences in the United States.
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