The United States has deported five “criminal illegal aliens” to the southern African kingdom of Eswatini.
The five deportees are from Vietnam, Jamaica, Laos, Cuba and Yemen, and have been convicted of crimes ranging from child rape to murder, according to the US Homeland Security Department.
Their home countries had refused to accept their return.
“These individuals are among the worst of the worst,” said DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin in a statement. “Their countries of origin refused to take them back, leaving the United States with no option but to remove them elsewhere.”
It is the first publicly confirmed use of Eswatini as a third-country destination under the policy, which was enabled by a June ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court allowing such removals when repatriation to a deportee’s country of origin is not possible.
Eswatini’s government acknowledged receipt of the five individuals, who are being held in secure facilities under the supervision of the country’s correctional services.
Officials said the deportees are being temporarily housed while arrangements are made for their eventual return to their countries of origin, in coordination with the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
No details were given regarding the terms of Eswatini’s agreement with the United States, nor was it clear whether the government received compensation or other support in exchange for accepting the deportees.
A spokesperson for Eswatini’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs declined to comment on the specifics of the agreement, stating only that “the Kingdom of Eswatini remains committed to international cooperation in matters of migration and justice.”
