Trump authorities plan to expel Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Eswatini
In a series of events, the Trump administration's attempts to quickly deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia have hit a roadblock. The immigration case of Abrego Garcia, currently in ICE custody, is set to play out before an immigration judge within the Justice Department.
The administration has informed Abrego Garcia that they intend to deport him to the African nation of Eswatini, a country located in Southeast Africa and roughly the size of New Jersey. This decision comes after they could not legally send him back to El Salvador, his home country.
Abrego Garcia, who is facing human smuggling charges, has claimed through his attorneys that he fears persecution or torture in at least 22 different countries, including his home country of El Salvador. This fear has been echoed in an email from the Department of Homeland Security, which also mentions the earlier notification to Abrego Garcia to be deported to Uganda.
The Trump administration initially offered to deport Abrego Garcia to Costa Rica in exchange for a guilty plea, but he did not accept the offer. Interestingly, Costa Rica has expressed willingness to give Abrego Garcia some form of legal status, and he prefers to be sent there.
The administration's efforts to re-deport Abrego Garcia are expected to be discussed by Trump administration officials in early October. A federal judge has ruled that Abrego Garcia cannot be deported until at least early October, providing a temporary reprieve.
In a separate development, Abrego Garcia is seeking to renew his bid for asylum. The outcome of this case will have significant implications for Abrego Garcia's future and could set a precedent for similar cases.
Eswatini, along with Rwanda, South Sudan, and Uganda, is one of four African countries that have struck a deal with the Trump administration to receive foreign deportees. The implications of these deals and their impact on the individuals involved continue to be a topic of discussion and concern.
