Eswatini has agreed to accept deported third-country migrants under a program established by U.S. President Donald Trump [1].
The agreement is significant because it marks one of the first instances of a sovereign nation volunteering to host migrants who are not citizens of that country. This move highlights the diplomatic leverage the U.S. administration holds over smaller nations seeking to maintain favorable economic and political relations [1, 2].
According to reports, the government in Mbabane acted quickly to embrace the initiative despite existing questions regarding the legality of the program [1, 3]. The decision appears driven by a desire to remain in the good graces of the U.S. government [2].
Tim Cocks said, "Upon learning through the U.S. embassy that President Donald Trump was looking for African nations to take in deported third‑country migrants, Eswatini was one of the first to volunteer" [1].
The program's implementation is already underway. Reports indicate that a Cambodian deportee recently became the second person released by Eswatini under this arrangement [4].
While the agreement secures a diplomatic win for the U.S. administration, it raises concerns among legal observers. The process of relocating individuals to a country where they hold no legal status or citizenship is a complex maneuver that may face challenges in international courts [2, 3]. Eswatini's willingness to bypass these doubts suggests a prioritization of bilateral relations over the legal ambiguities of the deportee program [1].
“Eswatini was one of the first to volunteer.”
This agreement establishes a precedent for 'third-country' deportations, where the U.S. bypasses the migrant's home country in favor of a willing partner. For Eswatini, the move is a strategic diplomatic gesture to secure favor with the Trump administration. However, it may expose the country to legal scrutiny and international criticism regarding the human rights and legal status of the deportees.
