Keypoints:
- Eswatini receives four more deportees from the US
- Total migrants transferred under the deal reaches 19
- Washington paid $5.1m for the relocation agreement
ESWATINI confirmed on Thursday that it had received four additional deportees from the United States, raising the number of migrants transferred to the southern African kingdom to at least 19 under a controversial immigration arrangement with Washington.
The latest arrivals include two men from Somalia, one from Sudan and one from Tanzania, according to a government statement.
US immigration crackdown expands deportation deals
The transfers form part of a broader push by the administration of US President Donald Trump to intensify immigration enforcement through agreements allowing deportations to third countries.
Under the arrangement, migrants who cannot easily be returned to their home countries are instead sent to a partner state willing to accept them.
Eswatini said the four arrivals represented a new ‘cohort of third-country nationals’ transferred from the United States.
Washington reportedly paid the small southern African kingdom $5.1m as part of the agreement, which officials say is intended to strengthen border and migration management capacity.
The deal forms part of a broader strategy by US authorities to relocate certain foreign nationals to third countries after they have served prison sentences in the United States.
Africa Briefing previously reported that the agreement could allow Eswatini to accept up to 160 deportees under the programme.
Earlier deportations involved migrants from Asia and the Middle East
The first group of deportees arrived in July last year and included nationals from Vietnam, Cuba, Laos and Yemen.
Several remain in detention while authorities attempt to arrange their repatriation to their home countries.
Africa Briefing previously reported that some of those deportees were placed in secure detention facilities while negotiations over their return continued.
Officials said diplomatic engagements with the migrants’ countries of origin were ongoing.
‘Intensive engagements with the respective countries of origin are ongoing,’ the government said.
Legal challenge sparks debate in Eswatini
The deportation programme has triggered significant legal and political debate inside Eswatini.
Human rights lawyers filed a case in the country’s High Court challenging the legality of the agreement and the detention of deportees who have no citizenship ties to the kingdom.
The court dismissed the case last month, though the legal team behind the challenge has since filed an appeal.
Earlier reports also highlighted the political backlash the deal generated, including concerns that the country could become a destination for deportees rejected by their home governments.
Some deportees already repatriated
A small number of migrants transferred under the programme have already been returned to their home countries.
One Jamaican deportee was repatriated last year after being held for months in Eswatini while authorities worked to arrange his return.
Lawyers representing some of the migrants say a Cambodian national, Pheap Rom, may soon become the second deportee from the group to be repatriated.
The majority, however, remain in detention while officials attempt to secure agreements with their countries of origin.
Growing role for third-country migration agreements
Eswatini, an absolute monarchy ruled by King Mswati III, has become one of several countries that have entered arrangements with Washington to accept deportees who cannot easily be returned home.
The practice has expanded as governments search for ways to manage complex deportation cases involving migrants whose countries of origin refuse to accept them.
The United States has explored similar deportation arrangements with other African states as part of its migration enforcement strategy.
Authorities say ongoing negotiations with the migrants’ home countries will determine whether additional repatriations can take place in the coming months.
