In brief
A plane carrying Southeast Asian migrants deported from the United States landed in Eswatini, part of a broader program that has been criticized for human rights abuses. This marks the continuation of clandestine agreements between the U.S. and various African nations for deportations, where many face uncertain futures without adequate legal support.
MANZINI, Eswatini (AP) — A flight carrying Southeast Asian migrants deported from the United States landed early Monday in Eswatini, representing yet another chapter in the contentious third-country deportation program initiated during the Trump administration. These arrangements have been largely secretive, with the U.S. having established similar agreements with at least five nations.Eswatini is currently housing four other detainees from Cuba, Laos, Vietnam, and Yemen in a maximum-security prison since they were sent back in July, and their lawyers argue that they have been held without charge and denied legal representation for an extended period.Nguyen, a U.S.-based lawyer, confirmed that two Vietnamese nationals were on the latest flight, which had previously made stops in Puerto Rico, Senegal, and Angola before reaching the African kingdom. He revealed that human rights groups assisted in tracking the flight, highlighting concerns over the treatment and conditions faced by deportees.The Eswatini government recently stated it would accept 11 more deportees from the U.S. this month, indicating that the country has made a deal to take up to 160 individuals. Reports suggest the U.S. will compensate Eswatini with $5.1 million for these deportations. Critics of the program argue that deportation to countries with poor human rights records exposes individuals to severe risks, including lack of due process.Rights groups continue to monitor the situation, noting that many deportees are left in limbo, often detained under poor conditions, with limited access to legal aid. As more deportees are sent to African nations as part of this controversial program, the implications for individuals returned to these environments remain a significant concern.
