The government of Eswatini has denied reports that it was asked by the United States to receive Kilmar Abrego, a Salvadoran national facing deportation.
According to government spokesperson Thabile Mdluli, Eswatini has not received any request or communication from Washington about Abrego or his potential transfer to the country.
Abrego, who is being held in Virginia, fled El Salvador years ago and has been battling deportation. U.S. immigration officials recently informed his legal team that Eswatini would be listed as his new “country of removal.”
This change came after Abrego raised fears of persecution if sent to Uganda, which had previously been designated as his destination.
Eswatini’s denial has raised new questions about the handling of Abrego’s case. The man has no known ties to Eswatini, making the U.S. decision unusual and controversial.
Earlier this year, Eswatini agreed to take in five deportees from the United States as part of a cooperation deal.
That arrangement has already drawn criticism from rights groups, who argue that the agreement lacks transparency and could violate international law.
Activists warn that forcing migrants into countries where they have no connection undermines their legal protections and exposes them to danger.
Abrego’s lawyers and supporters are challenging the U.S. decision, arguing that transferring him to a country he has never lived in is unlawful.
His case has become a focal point in debates over U.S. deportation policies, third-country agreements, and the treatment of migrants who seek protection from persecution.