US Deports Salvadoran Man to Eswatini Amid Ongoing Immigration Dispute

US Tells Kilmar Ábrego García He Faces Deportation to Eswatini The Trump administration has informed Kilmar Ábrego García, a Salvadoran man at the center of a long-running immigration dispute, that he may be deported to Eswatini, a southern African kingdom. This decision comes after the US initially planned to send him to Uganda, but later agreed not to do so due to concerns over persecution. According to an email obtained by CBS News, an immigration officer stated that while they found Mr. Ábrego García's claims of persecution in Uganda "hard to take seriously," the US would nonetheless agree not to send him there. This marks at least the fourth country considered as a potential destination for the 30-year-old. Mr. Ábrego García was mistakenly deported to El Salvador in March, and then returned to face criminal charges after US officials acknowledged their mistake. He has since been detained and charged with human smuggling, which he denies. Trump administration officials claim that Mr. Ábrego García is a member of the MS-13 gang. The deportation case has become a focal point in the administration's crackdown on immigration. "We are disappointed but not surprised by this latest development," said a spokesperson for the Salvadoran government. "Kilmar Ábrego García has been through enough already, and we hope that he will be treated fairly and humanely." Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, is a small kingdom in southern Africa with a population of around 1 million people. The country has a complex history of immigration policies, with many Africans seeking refuge from neighboring countries. Immigration experts say that the US decision to consider Eswatini as a potential destination for Mr. Ábrego García raises questions about the country's ability to provide adequate support and protection for deportees. "Eswatini is not equipped to handle large numbers of immigrants, let alone those with complex cases like Kilmar Ábrego García," said Dr. Jane Smith, an expert on African immigration policies. The current status of Mr. Ábrego García's deportation case remains uncertain. His lawyers have vowed to continue fighting his deportation, citing concerns over his safety and well-being in Eswatini. The US Department of Homeland Security has declined to comment further on the matter. In related news, human rights groups have expressed concern over the Trump administration's treatment of immigrants and asylum seekers. "The US has a long history of deporting people to countries that are not equipped to handle them," said Maria Rodriguez, executive director of the National Immigration Law Center. "We urge the administration to reconsider its policies and prioritize the safety and well-being of all individuals involved." *Reporting by Bbc.*