The United States has historically deported people to their countries of origin. Now it pays African nations to accept deportees with no connection to those countries — Eswatini, Rwanda, South Sudan, Uganda, Ghana, and Burundi have signed deals, and Human Rights Watch counts more than 500 people expelled to unfamiliar African countries since January 2025.
Eswatini has taken 32 deportees in five groups since July 2025 under its $5.1 million deal; its High Court dismissed a constitutional challenge to the agreement in February 2026. A U.S. federal court struck down the DHS memos authorizing third-country removals the same month, and an appellate court upheld that ruling in September. The administration has asked the Supreme Court to pause the decision, while ten deportees have already been repatriated home.
Why it matters
The U.S. pays foreign governments to hold deportees with no ties to those countries, bypassing immigration courts and protection orders.
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Key Indicators
32
Deportees sent to Eswatini
Third-country nationals transferred in five groups since July 2025, including nationals of Vietnam, Cuba, Jamaica, Laos, Yemen, Mexico, Somalia, and Sudan
$5.1M
U.S. payment to Eswatini
For accepting up to 160 deportees and building 'border and migration management capacity'
7
Nations with deportation agreements
Eswatini, Rwanda, South Sudan, Uganda, Ghana, Burundi, and Jamaica have signed deals accepting deportees
160
Maximum deportees under Eswatini deal
The cap established in the U.S.-Eswatini memorandum of understanding
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Ayn Rand
(1905-1982) ·Cold War · philosophy
Fictional AI pastiche — not real quote.
"The spectacle of governments auctioning human beings like commodities—while draped in the language of sovereignty and law—reveals the inevitable corruption when states claim ownership over individuals. These are not contracts between free men, but transactions between jailers bargaining over their prisoners, proving once again that when rights become privileges dispensable by bureaucratic whim, every person becomes potential merchandise in the marketplace of political expediency."
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16 events
Latest: October 8th, 2026 · 1 month ago
Showing 8 of 16
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October 2026
Human Rights Watch Documents Eswatini Deportations
LatestInvestigation
Report 'To Scare People' documents 32 deportees sent to Eswatini in five groups, arbitrary detention, and the U.S. court rulings that struck down the program's legal basis.
September 2026
First Voluntary Repatriation from Eswatini
Repatriation
A Yemeni national voluntarily returns home, the first of three such departures; a Belizean national left September 30 and a Laotian national October 4.
Appeals Court Upholds Ruling Against Deportation Memos
Legal
An appellate court upheld the district court ruling striking down the DHS memos. The administration asked the Supreme Court for a stay to keep deportations running during review.
August 2026
Two Mexican Nationals Deported to Eswatini
Deportation
The fifth group, both Mexican nationals, arrives under the agreement, bringing the total to 32.
July 2026
Eswatini Receives 11 More Deportees
Deportation
The fourth group, eleven third-country nationals predominantly from African countries, arrives in Eswatini.
March 2026
Third Deportee Group Arrives in Eswatini
Deportation
Four men from Somalia, Sudan, and Tanzania are transferred under the agreement, the third group since July 2025.
February 2026
Eswatini High Court Dismisses Constitutional Challenge
Legal
Three-judge panel rules that petitioners lacked direct interest to challenge the agreement, leaving core constitutional questions about parliamentary oversight unresolved.
US Court Voids DHS Deportation Memos
Legal
A federal district court vacated the March and July 2025 Department of Homeland Security memos authorizing third-country removals, ruling them unlawful.
November 2025
Eswatini Confirms Receipt of $5.1 Million
Financial
Eswatini government publicly acknowledges receiving millions of dollars from the United States under the deportation agreement.
October 2025
Ten More Deportees Arrive in Eswatini
Deportation
A second deportation flight brings 10 additional third-country nationals to Eswatini, bringing the total to 15.
September 2025
Human Rights Watch Publishes Report on African Deportation Deals
Investigation
Report details agreements with multiple African nations and raises concerns about sending deportees to countries with poor human rights records.
August 2025
Human Rights Groups File Court Challenge in Eswatini
Legal
The Eswatini Litigation Centre and allies file an urgent application arguing the deportation agreement is unconstitutional because it bypassed parliament.
Rwanda Signs Agreement to Accept 250 Deportees
Agreement
Rwanda becomes the third African nation to sign a deportation deal, agreeing to accept up to 250 deportees in exchange for approximately $7.5 million.
July 2025
Eswatini Confirms Deportees Held in Solitary Confinement
Conditions
Government spokesperson confirms the five deportees will remain in solitary confinement for an undetermined period, citing security concerns.
First Third-Country Deportees Arrive in Eswatini
Deportation
Five men from Vietnam, Jamaica, Laos, Cuba, and Yemen become the first deportees sent to Eswatini under the new agreement. They are placed in solitary confinement.
June 2025
Trump Administration Imposes Travel Ban on 19 Countries
Policy
The administration warns that additional countries could be added to the ban if they refuse to accept deportees.
Scenarios
1
Third-Country Deportations Become Standard U.S. Policy
Likely
Discussed by: Council on Foreign Relations, American Immigration Council analysis
If legal challenges continue to fail and receiving countries remain cooperative, third-country deportations could become a normalized tool in U.S. immigration enforcement. The administration has already signaled it may add countries to the travel ban to pressure cooperation. With five African nations now participating, the infrastructure exists for significant expansion beyond the current hundreds of deportees.
2
International or Domestic Courts Block the Program
Possible
Discussed by: Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Southern Africa Litigation Centre
Human rights organizations argue the deportations violate international law prohibiting removal to countries where individuals face persecution or torture. A successful legal challenge—whether in U.S. federal courts, receiving countries' courts, or international bodies—could halt or significantly constrain the program. The Eswatini ruling, however, suggests domestic courts in receiving countries may decline to intervene.
3
Political Pressure Forces African Partners to Exit Agreements
Possible
Discussed by: BBC Africa, Al Jazeera analysts
Domestic opposition in participating African countries could force governments to withdraw from agreements. In Eswatini, pro-democracy activists have linked the deportation deal to broader criticisms of the monarchy. If political costs outweigh financial benefits, some nations may not renew or may exit their agreements when terms expire.
4
Deportees Face Serious Harm, Triggering International Incident
U.S. law prohibits deportation to countries where individuals will face persecution or torture. If deportees experience documented serious harm—violence, indefinite detention, or onward deportation to dangerous countries—it could trigger litigation in U.S. courts and diplomatic consequences. The use of solitary confinement in Eswatini has already drawn condemnation.
Discussed by: Human Rights Watch, American Immigration Council
The administration has asked the Supreme Court to stay the appellate ruling that struck down the DHS memos authorizing third-country removals. A stay keeps the program running while the Court reviews the case. A denial would halt new third-country deportations.
Historical Context
3 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.
1 of 3
September 2001 - Present
Australia's Pacific Solution (2001-Present)
Australia began sending asylum seekers who arrived by boat to detention facilities on the Pacific island nation of Nauru. The government paid Nauru an initial $20 million to accept up to 800 people. Since 2013, over 3,000 people were subjected to offshore detention, with 14 dying in custody and many suffering documented psychological harm.
Then
Maritime arrivals dropped significantly, and the policy became politically popular in Australia despite international criticism.
Now
The program became entrenched, surviving changes of government. In 2025, Australia committed $1.6 billion over 30 years to continue sending people to Nauru.
Why this matters now
Australia's policy demonstrates how third-country deportation arrangements, once established, tend to expand rather than contract. The long-term financial commitments and institutional infrastructure create momentum that persists across administrations.
Israel negotiated secret agreements with Rwanda and Uganda to accept Eritrean and Sudanese asylum seekers. Israel paid Rwanda $5,000 per deportee and offered asylum seekers a choice between indefinite detention or 'voluntary' departure with $3,500 in cash. Approximately 4,000 people were transferred between 2013 and 2018.
Then
Thousands of asylum seekers left Israel, reducing the population the government characterized as 'infiltrators.'
Now
The program collapsed after investigations revealed deportees faced dangerous conditions and were often re-trafficked. Many ended up attempting dangerous Mediterranean crossings to Europe.
Why this matters now
Israel's experience shows how secretive deportation agreements can unravel when conditions facing deportees become public. British courts cited the failed Israel-Rwanda deal when ruling the UK's similar plan unlawful in 2023.
3 of 3
April 2022 - July 2024
UK-Rwanda Asylum Plan (2022-2024)
The UK Conservative government signed an agreement to send asylum seekers who arrived by boat to Rwanda, where their claims would be processed and, if successful, they would remain permanently. Britain paid Rwanda £290 million before any flights departed.
Then
The UK Supreme Court ruled the plan unlawful in November 2023, finding Rwanda was not a safe country for asylum seekers.
Now
The Labour government, elected in 2024, cancelled the program, calling it 'the most shocking waste of taxpayer money I have ever seen.' Total costs approached £700 million with zero deportations completed.
Why this matters now
The UK experience illustrates how third-country deportation plans can fail entirely when courts intervene. Rwanda has now pivoted to accept U.S. deportees instead, suggesting receiving countries seek alternative partners when one deal collapses.
