Controversial Deportation Case: Kilmar Ábrego García Faces Deportation to Eswatini

Wed Oct 22 2025 09:18:38 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Kilmar Ábrego García, a Salvadoran immigrant, faces the possibility of being deported to Eswatini, amid concerns of persecution and a mix of international immigration policies in the U.S.

Kilmar Ábrego García, at the center of a contentious immigration dispute, may soon be deported to Eswatini despite having no ties to the country. This development follows claims of his safety concerns regarding previous deportation attempts to Uganda. His case underscores ongoing immigration debates in the U.S. and raises questions about the treatment of individuals facing deportation in countries where they may face persecution.

Kilmar Ábrego García, a Salvadoran man embroiled in a lengthy immigration dispute, has been informed by U.S. immigration authorities of a potential deportation to Eswatini, a southern African nation he has no connections to. This email, shared with his lawyers, follows a recent reversal of a previous decision to send him to Uganda, prompted by fears that he would face persecution there.

U.S. officials described Mr. Ábrego García's claims as hard to take seriously, yet still agreed to reconsider his situation. This latest development marks at least the fourth different country suggested as a possible destination for the 30-year-old, who had previously been mistakenly deported to El Salvador and returned to face legal challenges.

U.S. authorities acknowledged the error in Mr. Ábrego García's first deportation but have since detained him and charged him with human smuggling—a claim he refutes. The administration has linked him to the MS-13 gang, a characterization he also denies.

The case has become a significant point of contention within the context of the Trump administration's strict immigration policies. Notably, Mr. Ábrego García's connections to Eswatini are nonexistent, raising concerns about his treatment under international deportation protocols. The kingdom, previously known as Swaziland, is known for its absolute monarchy and has not confirmed any agreements related to the reception of deported individuals from the U.S.

Controversy has surrounded the deportation practices to Eswatini, as the small nation grapples with becoming a perceived dumping ground for criminals. There's also speculation regarding whether the U.S. compensates Eswatini for accepting deported individuals, especially given the kingdom's economic ties to U.S. exports.

Having entered the U.S. illegally as a teenager, Mr. Ábrego García's story exemplifies the complex interplay between immigration enforcement, potential persecution, and human rights concerns. As his case continues to unfold, it serves as a crucial emblem of the challenges facing those caught in the web of international immigration laws.