Thursday, July 17, 2025 - The
United States has deported a group of foreign nationals described as “criminal
illegal aliens” to Eswatini after their home countries allegedly refused to
accept them back, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
In a post on the social media platform X, DHS stated that
the individuals were expelled on a third-country deportation flight due to what
it called their “uniquely barbaric” behaviour. The post, made early on 16 July
2025, said: “Today, DHS conducted a third country deportation flight to
Eswatini. These criminal illegal aliens are so uniquely barbaric that their
home countries refused to take them back.”
The statement added, “Under the leadership of Secretary
Kristi Noem and President Donald Trump, we are removing these convicted
criminals from our soil so they can never hurt another American victim.”
DHS detailed the criminal histories of the five deportees,
who hold citizenship from Vietnam, Jamaica, Laos, Cuba, and Yemen. Crimes cited
ranged from second-degree murder and burglary to child r@pe and aggravated
assault.
A citizen of Laos was convicted of second-degree murder and
burglary and sentenced to 20 years’ confinement. A Cuban national was said to
be a confirmed gang member convicted of first-degree murder and other violent
offenses. The Yemeni individual was convicted of second-degree homicide and
assault, among other charges.
The deportation sparked outrage in Eswatini, where citizens
expressed shock and concern that the transfer occurred without prior public
notice or government transparency. Eswatini’s government acknowledged
“widespread concern” and confirmed that the five individuals are held in
isolated units in correctional facilities, assuring the public that they pose
no threat.
“Eswatini and the US will work with the United Nations’
immigration agency to facilitate the transit of the deportees to their
countries of origin,” government spokesperson Thabile Mdluli said.
This deportation follows a recent pattern by the US of
sending migrants to third countries after courts lifted restrictions on such
actions. Earlier in July, the US deported eight migrants to South Sudan under
similar arrangements.
The move comes amid broader immigration policy shifts under
the Trump administration, which has intensified efforts to deport individuals
living in the US illegally, including expanding targets to those on student
visas and suspending some refugee admissions.
Eswatini, a small southern African kingdom and Africa’s last
absolute monarchy, has not disclosed whether any financial arrangements were
made for accepting the deportees. Analysts speculate the country may be seeking
to preserve important trade ties with the US, particularly in the sugar export
market.
The deportations have drawn criticism from pro-democracy
groups in Eswatini, who condemn the country becoming a “dumping ground” for
criminals and call for better protection of citizens.
The Trump administration has deported individuals to several
other countries, including El Salvador and Costa Rica, as part of its crackdown
on immigration.
The case raises ongoing questions about the ethics and legality of third-country deportations and the responsibility of nations involved in handling such transfers. Investigations and public debate continue on both sides of the Atlantic.
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