US Deports 11 More Migrants to Eswatini Under Trump Deal

The United States deported 11 migrants to Eswatini on July 9, 2026, as part of a third-country deportation agreement established under Donald Trump. This marks the fourth group sent to the southern African nation since July 2025, bringing the total number of deportees to 29. Under the terms of the deal, the U.S. provided approximately $5.1 million to Eswatini to accept up to 160 deportees and improve its border and migration management.

The latest arrivals, who include individuals from African nations and one from South America, are being held at the Matsapha correctional facility. Of the 19 previous deportees, 17 remain held without charge, while only two nationals from Jamaica and Cambodia have been repatriated. While the Eswatini government maintains that the stays are temporary and fundamental rights will be protected, critics and legal advocates argue the detention is arbitrary, as many individuals have already served sentences for crimes committed in the U.S.

Amnesty International condemned the transfers as unlawful and described the deportation scheme as deeply abusive. The organization characterized the Trump administration's immigration policies as cruel and racist. Additionally, the opposition People's United Democratic Movement has challenged the arrangement, with some officials alleging that deported convicts are receiving luxury privileges compared to local inmates.