The Trump administration has deported five men identified as “criminal illegal aliens” to the southern African nation of Eswatini, sparking renewed criticism over its immigration enforcement policies.
According to a statement released Tuesday by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the individuals, originally from Vietnam, Laos, Yemen, Cuba, and Jamaica, were expelled under third-country deportation protocols. DHS officials said the men were “so uniquely barbaric” that their home countries refused to accept their return.
The choice of Eswatini as a destination has raised eyebrows, given the country’s political context. Eswatini, a landlocked kingdom bordered by South Africa and Mozambique, is Africa’s last absolute monarchy. Ruled by King Mswati III since 1986, the 57-year-old monarch has been widely criticized for his extravagant lifestyle amid widespread poverty and repeated accusations of human rights abuses.
This deportation follows a similar move earlier this month when eight other migrants were sent to South Sudan, a nation beset by ongoing conflict. That action came after a green light from the U.S. Supreme Court.
Human rights advocates have condemned the practice of third-country deportations, especially to nations with weak legal protections or unstable political environments. Critics argue it violates international norms and exposes vulnerable individuals to further harm.
The DHS has defended its actions as necessary to protect U.S. citizens and maintain national security, saying it will continue deportations where legal avenues allow.
Written By Rodney Mbua
