The Kingdom of Eswatini has declared its intention to repatriate five migrants who were sent there by the United States. This announcement follows an assertion from American officials that the migrants' home countries had refused to accept them. The individuals, who originally hail from Vietnam, Jamaica, Laos, Yemen, and Cuba, were serving prison sentences in the U.S. for serious offenses.
This repatriation marks the first implementation of a new policy that allows for third-country deportations following a recent Supreme Court ruling. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security stated that these removals were necessary because the nations of origin would not take back their deported nationals.
However, the Eswatini government, through spokeswoman Thabile Mdluli, confirmed that they are working alongside U.S. officials and the International Organization for Migration to ensure that the migrants are sent back to their countries of origin. Despite this, the International Organization for Migration clarified that it had not played a role in the U.S. deportation process, nor had it been involved in the repatriation plan.
The situation raises questions about international deportation practices and the responsibilities of nations towards their citizens who are deported from foreign countries.
