The United States has expelled five men to Eswatini as part of a broader initiative to deport immigrants to so-called ‘third countries.’
This move follows the U.S. government’s recent deportation of eight men to South Sudan, a country rife with violence, despite many of the deportees having no ties to either nation.
The Trump administration has actively sought to expand its network of third-country deportations, discussing agreements with over 25 nations to accept immigrants who are not their citizens.
Many of these nations, like Eswatini, are grappling with severe violence or have received criticism from the State Department for human rights abuses.
Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson from the Department of Homeland Security, praised the expulsion of the five men from various countries, including Cuba, Jamaica, Laos, Vietnam, and Yemen.
McLaughlin stated that the individuals had been convicted of serious crimes in the U.S. and had already served significant prison time.
She labeled them as “uniquely barbaric,” claiming that their home countries had refused to take them back.
Critics of the expulsions have expressed concern about the risks that these deportees face in Eswatini, particularly given the country’s dire human rights record as highlighted in the State Department’s latest report.
The report revealed credible allegations of arbitrary killings, torture, and severe issues impacting judicial independence, as well as the imprisonment of political dissidents.
Anwen Hughes, senior director of legal strategy at Human Rights First, emphasized the dangers faced by those deported to countries like Eswatini.
She argued that without clarity about their fates in these foreign nations, the U.S. government’s actions raise significant concerns over due process and human rights.
Currently, there is an ongoing effort by Hughes and her colleagues to ensure that immigrants are given adequate notice before being expelled to third countries, which could help them prepare for the impacts of such deportations.
Despite previous rulings by the Supreme Court allowing the Trump administration to continue expelling immigrants without the opportunity to contest claims of potential torture, advocates remain alarmed about the lack of transparency surrounding these deportation deals.
Earlier in the year, hundreds of immigrants from diverse backgrounds were deported to Costa Rica and Panama under similar policy frameworks.
Countries like Uzbekistan and Mexico have also accepted significant numbers of deportees from the U.S., raising further questions about the motivations and conditions of these agreements.
Human Rights advocates continue to underscore the severity of the situations these deportees face in their new environments.
Hughes noted that Eswatini, a monarchy with a poor human rights record and economic struggles, is not a safe haven for those expelled from the U.S.
There are unanswered questions surrounding the conditions under which these countries have agreed to accept deportees and the assurances, if any, the U.S. government has provided.
Recently, the Supreme Court has allowed the administration to expedite deportations, leading to reports that immigrants could be expelled with as little as 24 hours’ notice, or even in urgent cases, in a matter of hours.
This expedited process raises significant concerns regarding the rights of deportees and the potential for persecution in their new locations.
In a troubling incident earlier this year, individuals deported to South Sudan were detained incommunicado after being misled about their destinations prior to boarding a flight in the U.S.
The deceptive practices carried out by U.S. officials have sparked outrage among members of Congress, prompting calls for accountability from leadership within the Department of Homeland Security.
Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor has also voiced her concerns regarding the court’s complicity in these deportation practices, arguing that the consequences for thousands facing danger abroad should not be so easily dismissed.
As the U.S. continues this controversial policy of third-country deportations, the implications for human rights and the safety of immigrants remain a pressing issue for advocates and policymakers alike.
image source from：theintercept
