The Government of Jamaica is seeking to verify reports that a Jamaican national was among a group of convicted criminals deported to Eswatini as part of a U.S. third-country removal operation.
In a statement released Wednesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade said it had initiated enquiries with U.S. authorities following reports in the public domain regarding the transfer.
“The Government has not refused the return of any of our nationals to Jamaica,” the Ministry emphasized. “Accordingly, if the reports are confirmed, the Government will continue its engagements with the U.S. on the arrangements necessary to facilitate the individual’s return to Jamaica.”
The Ministry assured that the public will be kept updated once further verified information is obtained.
The response follows a report from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which stated that a Jamaican and a Cuban national were among several individuals deported to Eswatini on Tuesday. According to DHS, the deportees were so “uniquely barbaric” that their home countries refused to accept their return.
The Jamaican national was reportedly convicted of murder and sentenced to 25 years in prison. DHS said he had also previously been convicted of robbery and illegal possession of a weapon.
The third-country removal flight, part of the Trump administration’s expanding immigration enforcement strategy, also included deportees from Vietnam, Laos, Yemen, and Cuba. Crimes committed by the individuals ranged from child rape to murder. DHS said Eswatini agreed to receive the deportees as part of its cooperation with the United States.
The controversial deportation strategy — removing individuals to nations other than their countries of origin when those governments decline repatriation — has seen an uptick in recent months, with previous flights reportedly landing in South Sudan and El Salvador.
