The United States has deported a group of foreign nationals to Eswatini, labelling them “criminal illegal aliens,” after their countries of origin allegedly refused to take them back, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
In a statement posted on X early on 16 July 2025, DHS said the individuals were removed via a third-country deportation flight due to their “uniquely barbaric” behaviour. “Today, DHS conducted a third-country deportation flight to Eswatini. These criminal illegal aliens are so uniquely barbaric that their home countries refused to take them back,” the statement read.
The department added, “Under the leadership of Secretary Kristi Noem and President Donald Trump, we are removing these convicted criminals from our soil so they can never hurt another American victim.”
DHS outlined the criminal histories of the five deportees, who are from Vietnam, Jamaica, Laos, Cuba, and Yemen. Offences include second-degree murder, child r@pe, burglary, and aggravated assault.
Among them, a Laotian national was convicted of second-degree murder and burglary, receiving a 20-year sentence. A Cuban deportee, identified as a gang member, was convicted of first-degree murder and several violent crimes. The Yemeni individual was found guilty of second-degree homicide and assault, among other charges.
News of the deportation caused uproar in Eswatini, where citizens voiced frustration over the lack of prior notice or transparency. The Eswatini government acknowledged the public’s concern and stated that the five individuals are being held in isolated correctional facilities, posing no threat to the public.
Government spokesperson Thabile Mdluli added, “Eswatini and the US will work with the United Nations’ immigration agency to facilitate the transit of the deportees to their countries of origin.”
This deportation follows a trend under the Trump administration of using third-country transfers after legal restrictions on such practices were lifted. Earlier in July, eight migrants were sent to South Sudan under a similar arrangement.
The move is part of a broader immigration crackdown, which includes deportations of individuals on student visas and the suspension of certain refugee admissions.
Eswatini, Africa’s last absolute monarchy and a key sugar exporter to the US, has not disclosed whether any financial agreements were involved in the deportation. Analysts believe the country may be trying to preserve vital trade relations with Washington.
Pro-democracy groups in Eswatini criticised the decision, warning against the country becoming a “dumping ground” for foreign criminals and calling for greater protection for citizens.
The deportations have reignited debates about the ethics and legality of third-country removals, with investigations and public discourse continuing on both sides of the Atlantic.
