Deported to unfamiliar lands: Migrants sent to Eswatini under Trump-era deals

Migrants previously convicted in US courts have been deported to Eswatini, a small southern African kingdom where they arrive with no knowledge of the country and face suspicion from locals. According to France24, these deportations are part of a secret deal made by the Trump administration as part of its mass deportation program. The Guardian reports that thousands of migrants have been deported from the US through shadowy agreements with multiple countries, often without knowing their destination until the journey's end. Some detainees described being shackled during the flight and being taunted by officers when they inquired about their destination. The journey was only clarified when a map appeared on the seat-back video screens, revealing their arrival in Eswatini, a country many had never heard of. The practice has raised concerns over the treatment of migrants and the lack of transparency in deportation policies. The Deportation Project, an investigation by Forbidden Stories and a network of 72 journalists across 15 countries, has shed light on these secret agreements. The exact number of migrants affected and the full scope of the program remain unclear.