US deports ‘uniquely barbaric’ criminals to Eswatini

The United States has deported a group of foreign nationals described as criminal illegal aliens to Eswatini after their home countries allegedly refused to accept them back, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In a post on the social media platform X, DHS stated that the individuals were expelled on a third-country deportation flight due to what it called their uniquely barbaric behaviour. The post, made early on 16 July 2025, said: Today, DHS conducted a third country deportation flight to Eswatini. These criminal illegal aliens are so uniquely barbaric that their home countries refused to take them back. The statement added, Under the leadership of Secretary Kristi Noem and President Donald Trump, we are removing these convicted criminals from our soil so they can never hurt another American victim. DHS detailed the criminal histories of the five deportees, who hold citizenship from Vietnam, Jamaica, Laos, Cuba, and Yemen. Crimes cited ranged from second-degree murder and burglary to child r@pe and aggravated assault. A citizen of Laos was convicted of second-degree murder and burglary and sentenced to 20 years confinement. A Cuban national was said to be a confirmed gang member convicted of first-degree murder and other violent offenses. The Yemeni individual was convicted of second-degree homicide and assault, among other charges. The deportation sparked outrage in Eswatini, where citizens expressed shock and concern that the transfer occurred without prior public notice or government transparency. Eswatinis government acknowledged widespread concern and confirmed that the five individuals are held in isolated units in correctional facilities, assuring the public that they pose no threat. Eswatini and the US will work with the United Nations immigration agency to facilitate the transit of the deportees to their countries of origin, government spokesperson Thabile Mdluli said. This deportation follows a recent pattern by the US of sending migrants to third countries after courts lifted restrictions on such actions. Earlier in July, the US deported eight migrants to South Sudan under similar arrangements. The move comes amid broader immigration policy shifts under the Trump administration, which has intensified efforts to deport individuals living in the US illegally, including expanding targets to those on student visas and suspending some refugee admissions. Eswatini, a small southern African kingdom and Africas last absolute monarchy, has not disclosed whether any financial arrangements were made for accepting the deportees. Analysts speculate the country may be seeking to preserve important trade ties with the US, particularly in the sugar export market. The deportations have drawn criticism from pro-democracy groups in Eswatini, who condemn the country becoming a dumping ground for criminals and call for better protection of citizens. The Trump administration has deported individuals to several other countries, including El Salvador and Costa Rica, as part of its crackdown on immigration. The case raises ongoing questions about the ethics and legality of third-country deportations and the responsibility of nations involved in handling such transfers. Investigations and public debate continue on both sides of the Atlantic.The post US deports uniquely barbaric criminals to Eswatini appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.