Trump Administration Plans to Deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Eswatini

The Trump administration has notified Kilmar Abrego Garcia that it intends to deport him to Eswatini, a small African nation, amid ongoing legal battles over his immigration status and criminal charges. This move is part of the administration’s aggressive enforcement policies and follows a series of mistaken deportations and court interventions. Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a native of El Salvador, was erroneously deported to his home country in March 2025, where he spent weeks in the notorious CECOT prison before being returned to the U.S. in June to face human smuggling charges. His case has drawn significant attention due to these errors and the complex legal proceedings that have ensued. Currently, Abrego Garcia is held in ICE custody in Virginia after being detained during a routine check-in appointment in Baltimore last month. The government had previously planned to deport him to Uganda, but a federal judge in Maryland blocked that move until at least October, pending further testimony from administration officials. On September 5, 2025, an ICE official emailed Abrego Garcia’s attorneys, informing them of the new plan to deport him to Eswatini. The email, obtained by news outlets, cited Abrego Garcia’s claims of fearing persecution in over 20 countries, including El Salvador, though the official expressed skepticism about these assertions. Abrego Garcia is actively seeking asylum in the United States, arguing that he faces a well-founded fear of persecution from gangs in El Salvador. However, the Trump administration opposes his asylum claim, alleging ties to MS-13—a designated foreign terrorist organization—and pointing to the pending smuggling charges. Abrego Garcia has denied any gang affiliations and pleaded not guilty to the charges, which his attorneys have called vindictive. In immigration court filings, government lawyers have argued that if Abrego Garcia’s request to reopen his case is granted, it could void previous protections against deporting him to El Salvador. Additionally, the administration offered to deport him to Costa Rica instead if he accepted a guilty plea, but he rejected this offer. Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, is an absolute monarchy in Southeast Africa, roughly the size of New Jersey, and is one of several nations that have agreed to accept deportees from the U.S. under Trump administration policies. Earlier this year, the U.S. deported a small group of convicted criminals to Eswatini, where reports indicate they are held incommunicado, raising concerns about human rights. Abrego Garcia’s attorney, Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, has expressed confidence that his client would win asylum if given a fair trial, emphasizing the torture Abrego Garcia endured in El Salvador. The case continues to unfold, with court hearings scheduled to address the deportation plans and asylum claims, and the outcome could influence future immigration enforcement strategies.