Key Takeaways
• On July 15, 2025, the US deported five men to Eswatini under expanded third-country deportation policy.
• Supreme Court ruling in June 2025 allows deportations to third countries even without migrants’ ties.
• Migrants received as little as six hours’ notice; Eswatini’s government has made no public comments.
The United States 🇺🇸 has deported five migrants to Eswatini as part of a new push to remove people whose home countries refuse to accept them. This move, carried out on July 15, 2025, marks a major change in U.S. immigration policy and has raised serious questions about the rights and safety of deportees, as well as the responsibilities of receiving countries like Eswatini.
Who, What, When, Where, and Why
On July 15, 2025, a U.S. government-chartered flight landed in Eswatini, a small country in Southern Africa, carrying five men from Vietnam, Jamaica, Cuba, Yemen, and Laos. These men had all been convicted of serious crimes in the United States 🇺🇸, including child rape, murder, robbery, weapons possession, and aggravated assault. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said their home countries refused to take them back, so the U.S. sent them to Eswatini instead. This action follows a June 2025 U.S. Supreme Court decision that allowed the Trump administration to resume deportations to third countries, even if those countries are not the migrants’ countries of origin.
How the Deportation Happened
The deportation was carried out in secrecy, with no public announcement from Eswatini authorities about the terms of the arrangement or what would happen to the deportees once they arrived. According to DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin, these men were “so uniquely barbaric that their home countries refused to take them back,” and she stressed that they are now “off of American soil.” The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency, which handles deportations, followed a new policy that allows them to give as little as six hours’ notice before removing someone to a third country, as long as the person has a chance to speak with a lawyer.
Background: The Third-Country Deportation Policy
This new approach is called “third-country deportation.” In the past, the U.S. usually sent deportees back to their home countries or to countries where they had a legal right to live. Now, under the Trump administration’s expanded policy, the U.S. can send migrants to any country that promises not to persecute or torture them, even if the person has no ties to that country.
The Supreme Court’s June 2025 decision made this possible by putting on hold a lower court order that would have given immigrants more time to challenge such deportations. The Trump administration argues that this policy is necessary because some countries refuse to accept their own citizens, especially if those people have been convicted of serious crimes.
Procedural Details and Legal Process
According to a July 9, 2025, memo from ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons, ICE will generally wait at least 24 hours after telling a migrant about their removal to a third country. However, in urgent situations, they can act with as little as six hours’ notice. The memo also says that migrants can be sent to countries that have promised not to persecute or torture them, “without the need for further procedures.” This means that, in many cases, there is little time for migrants to challenge their deportation or prepare for life in a new country.
Scope and Expansion of the Policy
The deportation of five men to Eswatini is part of a larger effort. Earlier in July 2025, eight men from Asia and Latin America were deported to South Sudan under similar circumstances. The U.S. has also sent hundreds of Venezuelans and others to Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Panama as part of this expanding program. The Trump administration is reportedly seeking more agreements with African countries to accept deportees, though some, like Nigeria, have publicly refused.
Key Stakeholders and Their Roles
- Department of Homeland Security (DHS): Leading the deportation campaign, with public statements from Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin and ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons.
- Eswatini Government: As of July 16, 2025, there has been no public comment or confirmation from Eswatini about the terms of the agreement or the fate of the deportees.
- U.S. Supreme Court: Enabled the resumption of third-country deportations with its June 2025 ruling.
- Human Rights Advocates: Raising concerns about due process, lack of transparency, and the risks faced by deportees sent to countries where they have no ties or protections.
Practical Implications for Migrants
For migrants facing deportation, this policy means they may have very little warning before being sent to a country they have never visited and where they have no family or support. They may only have a few hours to contact a lawyer or gather their belongings. In many cases, their home countries have refused to accept them, often because of the seriousness of their crimes.
What Happens to Deportees in Eswatini?
One of the biggest questions is what happens to these deportees once they arrive in Eswatini. As of July 16, 2025, there has been no official information from Eswatini about their treatment, legal status, or chances of integrating into society. Human rights groups worry that sending people to countries where they have no connections or support networks puts them at risk of abuse, neglect, or even further violence.
Concerns from Human Rights Advocates
Human rights organizations have warned that this policy could violate international law, especially if deportees face harm in the countries where they are sent. They point out that Eswatini has a history of suppressing dissent and lacks strong protections for political and civil rights. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, sending migrants to countries with questionable human rights records raises serious humanitarian and legal concerns.
Legal and International Perspectives
Legal experts say the Supreme Court’s decision marks a major shift in U.S. immigration law. It allows the government to get around traditional safeguards that were meant to protect migrants from being sent to dangerous or unfamiliar places. Some African governments, like Nigeria, are pushing back against U.S. efforts to expand these agreements, which could lead to diplomatic tensions and instability in the region.
Historical and Political Context: Eswatini’s Role
Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, is a small, landlocked monarchy in Southern Africa. King Mswati III has ruled since 1986. The country is known for its lack of political freedoms and has a history of suppressing opposition. This background makes it a controversial choice as a destination for deportees, especially those who have no ties to the country.
The U.S. Approach: A Departure from Past Practices
The Trump administration’s third-country deportation policy is a big change from previous U.S. practices. In the past, the U.S. usually only deported people to their home countries or to places where they had a legal right to live. Now, the U.S. can send people to almost any country that agrees to take them, even if the person has never set foot there before.
Impacts on Affected Communities
- Deportees: Face uncertainty, possible danger, and lack of support in countries where they have no connections.
- Receiving Countries (like Eswatini): Must decide how to handle people who arrive with no legal status, family, or resources. There is also the risk of social tension or security concerns.
- U.S. Immigration System: Gains the ability to remove people more quickly, especially those with serious criminal records, but faces criticism for lack of transparency and possible human rights violations.
Quotes from Key Figures
- Tricia McLaughlin, DHS spokeswoman: “These deportees were so uniquely barbaric that their home countries refused to take them back. They are now off of American soil.”
- ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons (from July 9, 2025, memo): “ICE will generally wait at least 24 hours after informing a migrant of their impending removal to a third country, but may act with as little as six hours’ notice in exigent circumstances as long as the individual is given a chance to speak with an attorney.”
Concerns About Due Process and Transparency
Human rights advocates say that giving migrants as little as six hours’ notice before deportation makes it nearly impossible for them to challenge their removal or prepare for life in a new country. They also point out that the process is often carried out in secrecy, with little information provided to the public or to the receiving country’s citizens.
International Reactions and Diplomatic Tensions
Some African countries, like Nigeria, have refused to accept non-citizen deportees from the United States 🇺🇸, highlighting the diplomatic challenges involved in these agreements. There are concerns that the U.S. policy could create instability in countries that are already struggling with political or economic problems.
Future Outlook: What Comes Next?
The U.S. is expected to keep looking for more third-country agreements, especially with African and Central American nations. Human rights groups are likely to continue challenging the policy in court and calling for more transparency and oversight. The fate of deportees in Eswatini and other third countries remains uncertain, and their stories may shape future debates about immigration and human rights.
Solution-Oriented Elements and Practical Guidance
For migrants and their families, it is important to know their rights and to seek legal help as soon as possible if facing deportation. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security provides information about removal procedures and legal resources. If you or someone you know is affected by these policies, you can find up-to-date information and contact details on the official DHS website.
Key Takeaways and Next Steps
- The U.S. has started deporting migrants to Eswatini and other third countries as part of a new policy aimed at removing people whose home countries refuse to accept them.
- Deportees may have very little warning and limited ability to challenge their removal.
- The fate of deportees in Eswatini is unclear, and human rights groups are calling for more transparency and protection.
- The Trump administration is expected to expand this policy to more countries, despite pushback from some governments and advocacy groups.
- If you are affected by these changes, seek legal advice and check official government resources for the latest information.
For More Information
To learn more about the deportation process, your rights, or how to contact authorities, visit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement websites. These sites offer official guidance and updates on current immigration policies.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, the expansion of third-country deportations marks a turning point in U.S. immigration policy, with far-reaching effects for migrants, receiving countries like Eswatini, and the broader international community. The coming months will likely bring more legal challenges, diplomatic negotiations, and personal stories that highlight the real-life impacts of these decisions. For now, the fate of those sent to Eswatini and similar countries remains uncertain, and the debate over third-country deportation is far from over.
Learn Today
Third-country deportation → Sending deportees to countries other than their home or legal residence countries under US policy.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) → US government agency managing immigration enforcement and national security including deportations.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) → US agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws and deporting migrants.
Supreme Court ruling → June 2025 decision enabling deportations to third countries despite lower court restrictions.
Due process → Legal requirement ensuring migrants’ right to challenge their deportation before removal.
This Article in a Nutshell
The US deported five convicted criminals to Eswatini on July 15, 2025. This new third-country policy risks migrants’ rights and raises global human rights concerns amid little transparency from Eswatini authorities.
— By VisaVerge.com
