Eswatini Accepts US Deportees Amid Ongoing Legal Disputes

Fri Oct 10 2025 14:18:52 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Despite challenges from human rights organizations, the Eswatini government has accepted a group of deportees from the United States as part of an agreement with the Trump administration.

In a controversial move, Eswatini has allowed the arrival of ten individuals deported from the US, igniting debates around legality and human rights. This follows previous deportations and a growing legal challenge from local civil rights groups opposing the agreement. As legal proceedings continue, the situation raises questions about immigration practices and governance in the region.

The US has deported 10 people to Eswatini despite rights groups in the southern African state mounting legal action to block the plan.

This is the second batch of deportees that the Trump administration has sent to Eswatini as part of its hard-line approach towards immigration.

The 10 have been 'securely accommodated', and posed no threat to the public, Eswatini's prison department said in a statement.

Eswatini accepted five deportees, described by the US government as 'deprived monsters', in July. One of them has since been repatriated to Jamaica, his country of origin, while another two were expected to be repatriated soon, Eswatini's government says.

In a statement on Sunday, the government said it would take in 11 deportees following an agreement with the US 'to cooperate in this manner'.

It did not explain why only 10 had arrived. Their names have not been made public.

The arrival comes a day before a court case against the deportations is set to resume in the main city, Mbabane. The Southern African Litigation Centre (SALC) - along with other civil society groups - argues that the government's decision amounts to 'executive over-reach' and that such agreements should be done with parliamentary consent.

The civic groups argue that the deal is secretive and an example of democratic regression, 20 years after Eswatini adopted a constitution aimed at enhancing parliamentary powers in a country where the king wields substantial authority.

The government defends its actions, stating it acted within constitutional boundaries and that the constitution allows such agreements with foreign nations. Critics, including some MPs, have raised concerns, while the Prime Minister assures it was handled with 'top clearance level'.

This situation has also raised alarms in neighboring South Africa, which worries that the deportees could cross into their territory via a porous border, although Eswatini's government has reassured that deportees are held in solitary confinement in a secure facility.

Eswatini is a small, landlocked nation surrounded by South Africa and Mozambique and has been ruled by King Mswati III since 1986.