The International Organization for Migration (IOM) clarified on Thursday that it was not involved in the removal of third-country migrants from the United States to Eswatini.
Eswatini announced a day earlier that it was holding the deportees in prison but intended to “collaborate with IOM” to facilitate their return to home countries.
The five deportees, from Vietnam, Jamaica, Laos, Cuba, and Yemen, were sent to Eswatini by the United States on Tuesday. US authorities described the individuals as convicted criminals and said their home countries refused to accept them back.
IOM, a United Nations agency, oversees migration with respect to human rights amid economic, disaster, or humanitarian crises. In a statement to Reuters, an IOM spokesperson said the agency had not been involved or contacted to assist with this removal.
They emphasized IOM’s readiness to support member states if requested, in accordance with its humanitarian mission. This case highlights the complex challenges surrounding international deportations and the responsibilities of global migration agencies.
The migrants remain in detention in Eswatini as the government explores options for their transit to their countries of origin. IOM’s distance from this case underlines the limits of international cooperation when countries act unilaterally in migration matters.
The situation raises questions about the treatment of deportees and the role of humanitarian organizations in such operations. As the story unfolds, attention will focus on the fate of the five migrants and the diplomatic negotiations ahead.
