Eswatini: U.S. Deports Convicted Criminals to Eswatini, Sparks Outcry

On July 15, 2025, under orders from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), five foreign nationals who had committed crimes such as murder, aggravated assault, and child rape were deported to Eswatini. All five had been denied readmission by their countries of origin. The United States, unable to repatriate them directly, invoked agreements under its third-country deportation framework and reached a confidential arrangement with Eswatini.