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The government of Eswatini has announced the repatriation of a Jamaican national, Orville Isaac Etoria, who had been deported from the United States under President Donald Trump’s expanded immigration enforcement policies. According to officials, the 62-year-old was flown to Jamaica over the weekend, where he was “warmly welcomed by members of his family.”
Etoria was among a group of five individuals deported to Eswatini in July, despite having no direct ties to the small southern African kingdom. The group, which included nationals from Cuba, Laos, Vietnam, and Yemen, was labeled by US authorities as “dangerous offenders” when they were expelled.
Trump’s immigration policy, a central feature of his campaign and presidency, has emphasized mass deportations, in some cases to countries with which deportees have no familial, cultural, or historical connections.
Etoria’s case has drawn significant criticism from rights groups and legal advocates. The Legal Aid Society of New York argued that he had been a lawful permanent resident in the United States for decades, having arrived there as a child. The group said that although he had previously served a 25-year prison sentence for murder, he had “transformed his life” upon release and reintegrated into American society before being deported.
Following their expulsion, Etoria and the other four men were placed in solitary confinement at a maximum-security prison in Eswatini’s capital, Mbabane. Lawyers representing the remaining four deportees have raised alarm that they have been unable to communicate with their clients, fueling concerns about their treatment and legal rights.
Eswatini authorities maintain that they are actively working on the repatriation of the remaining individuals. The government has defended its cooperation with the US, stating that it acted within its legal authority.
However, activists inside Eswatini have condemned the arrangement, describing it as unconstitutional. Demonstrators have staged protests outside the US embassy in Mbabane, while civil society groups have initiated legal action challenging the government’s agreement with Washington. They argue that such a deal should not have been made without parliamentary approval.
Etoria’s case highlights the controversial nature of Trump’s deportation strategy, particularly the practice of sending individuals to countries with which they have no direct affiliation. Critics argue that such actions undermine international norms and leave deportees vulnerable to rights abuses.
Eswatini, Africa’s last absolute monarchy, led by King Mswati III since 1986, is a small, landlocked state bordered by South Africa and Mozambique. The country has faced scrutiny in recent years for human rights concerns and governance challenges, and its involvement in this deportation deal has intensified domestic and international debate.