At least one of the men was convicted of murder, others for child rape and assault. According to DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin, the individuals were “so uniquely barbaric that their home countries refused to take them back”. The deportees originate from Cuba, Laos, Jamaica, Vietnam, and Yemen.

This marks the second known transfer of U.S. deportees to Africa this month — following eight men deported to South Sudan earlier in July under a similar scheme.

On June 23, 2025, the Supreme Court permitted expedited deportations to third countries, contingent only on assurances from the State Department that deportees would remain safe—eliminating the need for case‑by‑case judicial review.

Following this ruling, an ICE memo (dated July 9) authorized deportations with as little as six hours’ notice—though ordinarily a 24-hour notification is provided.

Critics warn that such sweeping measures may undermine legal due process and raise human rights concerns, with deportees potentially sent to nations where oversight is limited.

The Kingdom of Eswatini is a small, absolute monarchy of ~1.1–1.2 million people between South Africa and Mozambique, ruled by King Mswati III.

No official statement has come from Eswatini’s government confirming an agreement with the U.S. on absorbing these deportees.

Local civil society groups have voiced alarm over the secrecy surrounding the operation and the nation’s capacity to house convicted criminals.

A representative from pro‑democracy group SWALIMO emphasized that “this opacity makes it difficult for civic society to understand the implications”.

Eswatini—where political parties are effectively banned and freedom of expression often suppressed—has faced recent scrutiny over human rights violations and governmental transparency.

Activists caution that carrying out such deportations could put strains on the nation’s limited resources and oversight mechanisms .

Voices in Eswatini, including social media, describe the move as treating the country like a “dumping ground” and are calling for immediate parliamentary review and clarity on any U.S. partnership.

The U.S. is reportedly negotiating similar agreements with other African nations, including Rwanda, as part of a policy to relocate migrants outside of the Americas.

In West Africa, Nigeria has reportedly rebuffed American pressure to take in deportees, citing domestic constraints .

In Latin America, the U.S. has already transferred migrants to Costa Rica, Panama, and El Salvador, signaling a trend toward externalizing its border enforcement.

Legal and Ethical Concerns: The truncated deportation process bypasses standard legal frameworks, drawing criticism from human rights groups and UN observers who argue it may conflict with international law .

Domestic Politics: The policy bolsters the administration’s domestic stance on immigration control, but risks backlash at home if deportees face mistreatment abroad .

Diplomatic Fallout: Pressuring poor nations to host criminal deportees may weaken U.S. reputations and relations, especially if civic backlash and protests ensue.

Eswatini’s Response: Local watchdogs are demanding government transparency and full disclosure regarding the deal’s terms. An emergency parliamentary session has been suggested .

U.S. Expansion: Washington is reportedly on track to secure more third‑country deportation pacts, inviting scrutiny from legal analysts, NGOs, and foreign diplomats.

By deploying convicted criminals to Eswatini under a third‑country deportation policy approved by the Supreme Court, the U.S. administration has activated a bold new front in immigration enforcement.

The move raises pressing questions about legality, transparency, and national sovereignty—not least in small nations like Eswatini, whose resources and governance are already strained.

The post U.S. Expands Third‑Country Deportation Program, Sends Convicted Criminals to Eswatini appeared first on Kaab TV.

In a statement Amnesty International’s Interim Deputy Director for Southern Africa, Vongai Chikwanda, voiced concerns about the situation.

Chikwanda stated, “The harassment and intimidation of Sticks Nkambule and the union he represents, for simply organizing a protest, demonstrates that the authorities in Eswatini are effectively criminalizing peaceful dissent. The message they are sending is clear: anyone who challenges those in power will be punished.”

Amnesty International calls on the authorities to drop the baseless charges against Nkambule, cease criminalizing dissent, and uphold the people’s rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly. This disturbing abuse of justice must come to an end.

Chikwanda added, “Criminalizing individuals who express their views and engage in protests goes against Eswatini’s Constitution, which guarantees the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association. It also violates the country’s international human rights obligations, including those under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Eswatini is a state party.”

Furthermore, Chikwanda emphasized the importance of respecting, protecting, promoting, and fulfilling the human rights of all individuals in Eswatini. Authorities must allow people to exercise their rights freely and refrain from using the criminal justice system to intimidate and persecute union leaders and protesters.

Sticks Nkambule is currently facing contempt of court charges linked to a stay away strike organized by the Swaziland Transport Communication and Allied Workers Union (SWATCAWU) on 13 and 14 December 2022.

The strike aimed to demand the release of Mthandeni Dube and Bacede Mabuza, Members of the Eswatini Parliament who have been imprisoned since 25 July 2021 for advocating political reforms in the country.

Nkambule is listed as the first respondent in the case, with the union being the second respondent.

Two other unions, the Eswatini Kombi and Buses Allied Union and the Swaziland Commercial Amadoda Road Transport Association, are the third and fourth respondents, respectively.

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