The Trump administration recently informed Kilmar Abrego Garcia that he will be deported to Eswatini, a small country in Africa. This has happened while he continues to fight against his deportation.
In an email to Abrego Garcia, an official from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) mentioned his previous objections to being sent to countries like Uganda. He has raised concerns about facing persecution or torture. In fact, he has claimed to fear deportation to at least 22 different countries, including his home, El Salvador, where he spent time in a notorious prison.
ICE has now decided on Eswatini as his new destination. The agency confirmed that an immigration judge ordered his removal, and they plan to comply with this order.
Currently, Abrego Garcia is in ICE custody. He was brought back to the U.S. to face human smuggling charges, but efforts are underway to deport him before his trial concludes. A federal judge recently ruled that he cannot be removed from the country until at least early October, when government officials are expected to testify about the deportation process.
Abrego Garcia prefers to be sent to Costa Rica, which has offered to give him legal status if he arrives there. The administration had previously suggested a deal, where he could be sent to Costa Rica in exchange for a guilty plea in his case, but he did not accept the offer.
Eswatini, previously known as Swaziland, is about the size of New Jersey. It is governed by a monarch with absolute power and is one of the few countries in Africa that has agreed to accept deportees from the U.S. Other countries include Rwanda, South Sudan, and Uganda.
See expert insights: According to a report from the Pew Research Center, the number of deportations from the U.S. has risen significantly over the past five years. This trend reflects stricter immigration policies and increasing collaborations between the U.S. and other nations regarding deportation agreements.
Abrego Garcia is also trying to renew his asylum claim, which will be heard by an immigration judge in the Justice Department. The outcome of this claim could drastically affect his future.
This case highlights the complex issues surrounding immigration and the impact on individuals caught in the system. Public reactions have varied widely, with some advocating for stricter enforcement and others calling for compassion and due process for those in similar situations.


















