A group of migrants deported from the U.S. arrived in Eswatini early Monday at the international airport in Manzini [1, 2].
The arrivals mark a continuation of the U.S. third-country removal program, which redirects deportees to nations other than their home countries. This process has drawn scrutiny from legal advocates who argue that some individuals are being removed despite having valid legal status.
Reports on the size of the group vary, with sources stating the arrival consisted of 10 [2] or 11 [1] people. This event is described as either the third [3] or fourth [1] batch of deportees sent to the African nation under the program. Total removals to Eswatini have now exceeded 40 people [2].
An unnamed U.S. immigration attorney said the group of 11 people includes at least two who have legal protection that should have shielded them from deportation [1]. The attorney did not specify the nature of the legal protections.
Eswatini authorities said a group of 10 migrants deported from the United States arrived early Monday in the African nation of Eswatini [2]. The arrivals occurred as part of the Trump administration's broader strategy to utilize third-country agreements for migrant removal [3].
Local officials in Eswatini have coordinated the reception of these groups at the Manzini airport. The program continues to operate as the U.S. government seeks to expedite the removal of noncitizens through these international partnerships [1, 2].
“The group of 11 people includes at least two who have legal protection that should have shielded them from deportation.”
The use of third-country removal programs allows the U.S. to bypass the complexities of deporting individuals to their countries of origin, especially where diplomatic ties are weak or safety concerns exist. However, the claim that individuals with legal protections are being included in these flights suggests a potential breakdown in the vetting process or a shift in enforcement priorities that may lead to legal challenges regarding due process.
