US Deportees’ Plane Arrives in Eswatini, Lawyer Reports
A flight carrying ten deported migrants from the United States arrived in Eswatini on Monday. This group is part of a continuing trend, as over 40 individuals have been sent to Africa since July through a new third-country deportation program.
Details of the Deportation
The recent flight departed from Alexandria, Louisiana, making stops in Puerto Rico, Senegal, and Angola before reaching Eswatini. Among the deportees are two Vietnamese nationals represented by U.S.-based lawyer Tin Thanh Nguyen. They were detained at the Alexandria Staging Facility prior to their deportation.
Conditions in Eswatini
The Eswatini government has confirmed the arrival of the ten individuals, stating they have been placed in a correctional facility. However, specific details about their identities and nationalities have not been disclosed.
- Deportees are reportedly in good health.
- Admission processes are underway.
Previously, four men from Cuba, Laos, Vietnam, and Yemen have been detained at Matsapha prison for nearly three months without charges. Their lawyer indicates that they have been allowed to communicate with their families, but access for an Eswatini-based lawyer has been denied despite a recent court ruling.
U.S. Deportations to Eswatini
The U.S. government claims that the men sent to Eswatini were convicted criminals with deportation orders. The agreement between the U.S. and Eswatini includes a payment of $5.1 million for accepting up to 160 deportees.
Criticism of the Deportation Program
Rights organizations have criticized the U.S. deportation program, asserting that it sends migrants to countries where they may not receive fair treatment. Beyond Eswatini, the U.S. has also deported individuals to South Sudan, Rwanda, and Ghana.
- Currently, six deportees are detained in South Sudan.
- Rwanda has seven deportees without public details on their location.
- Eleven deportees in Ghana are suing for inhumane conditions.
The situation continues to develop, with ongoing concerns regarding the treatment of deported migrants and the agreements made between nations involved in this program.
