Three foreign nationals who were transferred to Eswatini from the United States under a controversial third-country deportation arrangement have voluntarily left the Kingdom and returned to their respective countries of origin.
The Government of Eswatini said in a press statement dated October 7, 2026, that the three nationals, who had arrived in the country under an existing bilateral arrangement with the United States, requested to return home at different times in recent weeks.
The first, a Yemeni national, left Eswatini on September 8, 2026, after requesting to return to his country of origin.
A Belizean national followed on September 30, while a Lao national left on October 4, also after requesting voluntary repatriation.
Eswatini described the departures as part of ongoing arrangements concerning third-country nationals temporarily residing in the Kingdom.
The government said it continues to work with relevant authorities and partners to facilitate voluntary repatriation requests in accordance with applicable procedures.
It also expressed appreciation to the countries and authorities that cooperated in facilitating the nationals’ transit to their countries of origin.
Eswatini said the rights, dignity and wellbeing of third-country nationals would continue to be respected and protected during their temporary stay, while the government safeguards the security and interests of the Kingdom and its people.
Background
The repatriations are linked to an agreement between Eswatini and the United States under which the southern African kingdom has accepted migrants deported from the US who are not citizens of Eswatini.
The arrangement emerged under the Trump administration’s broader policy of sending some deportees to countries other than their countries of nationality. The first group of five men arrived in Eswatini in July 2025. They were nationals of Vietnam, Jamaica, Laos, Cuba and Yemen.
Further groups followed, including 10 people in October 2025, four in March 2026 and 11 in July 2026. Two additional Latin American nationals arrived in August 2026, bringing the reported number transferred to Eswatini to more than 30.
The arrangement has attracted scrutiny from human rights organisations and lawyers, particularly over the detention and legal status of some of the deportees. Amnesty International has criticised the transfers and called for greater safeguards and transparency.
Eswatini’s government has maintained that the nationals are in the country temporarily and has said arrangements would be made for their onward movement to their countries of origin. The government has also previously said some of the nationals could move within Eswatini under supervision.
The latest announcement indicates that at least three of those transferred to Eswatini have now voluntarily returned to their countries of origin, with the Yemeni, Belizean and Lao nationals leaving in September and October.
Government spokesperson Thabile Mdluli said Eswatini would continue providing updates on significant developments concerning third-country nationals in the Kingdom.