July 16, 2025, 5:30 p.m. ET – In a significant turn of events, the small African kingdom of Eswatini has announced that it will repatriate five deported migrants who were sent there by the United States. This follows a decision by U.S. officials earlier this week that stated the migrants' home countries, which include Vietnam, Jamaica, Laos, Yemen, and Cuba, refused to accept them back.
The five individuals had previously served time in American prisons for serious offenses. Their deportation was the first third-country removal since the Supreme Court's recent ruling allowing the Trump administration to reinstate this controversial practice, which critics argue violates international norms.
On Twitter, Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin commented, stating, "The five individuals’ nations of origin refused to take them in." However, Eswatini’s government, represented by spokeswoman Thabile Mdluli, countered that the government of Eswatini, the U.S., and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) would coordinate efforts to ensure these deportees are sent back to their countries of origin.
The IOM later clarified that they played no role in the U.S. deportation and were not requested to assist in the repatriation process. As responses develop, the implications of this policy implementation remain widely discussed across various media platforms.
The five individuals had previously served time in American prisons for serious offenses. Their deportation was the first third-country removal since the Supreme Court's recent ruling allowing the Trump administration to reinstate this controversial practice, which critics argue violates international norms.
On Twitter, Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin commented, stating, "The five individuals’ nations of origin refused to take them in." However, Eswatini’s government, represented by spokeswoman Thabile Mdluli, countered that the government of Eswatini, the U.S., and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) would coordinate efforts to ensure these deportees are sent back to their countries of origin.
The IOM later clarified that they played no role in the U.S. deportation and were not requested to assist in the repatriation process. As responses develop, the implications of this policy implementation remain widely discussed across various media platforms.
