Eswatini: Recent Issue of Deportation of Illegal Immigrants

Why in News

• On 16 July 2025, the United States deported immigrants from five countries to the African nation of Eswatini.

About Eswatini

• Geographical Location: Eswatini is a small landlocked country in Southern Africa, surrounded by South Africa and Mozambique.
• Its area is approximately 17,364 sq. km, roughly the size of the U.S. state of New Jersey.
• Formerly known as Swaziland.

Political System:

• Eswatini is Africa’s last absolute monarchy, where King Mswati III has ruled since 1986. He governs by decree, and political parties are effectively banned.

Population and Economy:

• Population is around 1.2 million.
• According to the World Bank, over 50% of the population lives on less than $4 per day.
• Sugar is the main export, with the United States being the fourth largest market.

Human Rights Situation:

• According to Human Rights Watch, the country experiences violations such as suppression of pro-democracy movements, political killings, overcrowded prisons, malnutrition, and violence against inmates.
• Social Challenges:
  • High poverty, unemployment, crime rates, and one of the highest HIV rates in the world.
  • In 2021, dozens were killed by security forces during pro-democracy protests.

Recent Issue: Deportation of Illegal Immigrants from the US

• Background: On 16 July 2025, the United States deported five immigrants from Vietnam, Jamaica, Laos, Cuba, and Yemen to Eswatini.
• These individuals were declared "serious criminals" by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
• Their home countries refused to accept them.

Deportation Process:

• This is part of a "third-country deportation" scheme, approved by the U.S. Supreme Court in June 2025.
• Under this policy, a minimum of 6 hours’ notice is sufficient before deportation.
• Detainees have limited opportunities to raise concerns about persecution or torture.

Situation in Eswatini:

• The five men are currently held in solitary confinement at Matsapha Correctional Facility.
• The Eswatini government claims it is working with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to eventually repatriate them, but no timeline is specified.

Controversy and Criticism:

• Local Outrage: Eswatini’s citizens and opposition party PUDEMO condemned the move, saying the country is being used as a "dumping ground", especially when prisons are overcrowded and crime is already a challenge.
• Human Rights Concerns: Rights groups warned that the deported individuals could face torture and inhuman treatment.
• International Reaction: South Africa called it a threat to regional stability, fearing the deportees could enter South Africa through porous borders.

Eswatini’s Stand:

The government claims the deported individuals "pose no threat to the nation or its citizens", but the terms of the agreement remain confidential.

• Some analysts suggest this may be a strategy to maintain trade and aid relations with the United States.