The Kingdom of Eswatini has confirmed the arrival of four additional individuals deported from the United States, none of whom are its own citizens. This brings the total number of such deportees received by the southern African nation to 19.
According to an official statement from the Eswatini government, the latest group includes two Somali nationals, one Sudanese national, and one Tanzanian national. Their identities and specific circumstances have not been publicly disclosed.
The transfers are part of a broader arrangement between the U.S. and Eswatini, one of several international agreements facilitating the resettlement of individuals removed from American soil to countries other than their own. U.S. authorities have characterized these efforts as a fulfillment of policy commitments to expand deportation operations.
Flight tracking data indicated an aircraft departed from Phoenix, Arizona, and landed in Eswatini late Wednesday, local time.
A recent U.S. congressional inquiry highlighted concerns over these resettlement pacts, noting substantial payments—reportedly totaling tens of millions of dollars—made to foreign governments. Critics of the program argue it channels funds to nations with documented governance and human rights challenges.
Eswatini is reported to have received approximately $5.1 million under its agreement with the U.S. Previous groups sent to the country have included nationals from Vietnam, Cuba, Laos, and Yemen. Legal proceedings concerning the detention conditions and legal status of some earlier arrivals remain ongoing within regional human rights frameworks.
Most of the individuals transferred to Eswatini last year remain in custody there, despite having completed criminal sentences in the United States.
