The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has notified Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an illegal immigrant facing human smuggling charges, that he will be deported to Eswatini, a small southern African nation. Abrego Garcia, originally from El Salvador, was deported in March but re-entered the U.S. illegally in June. He is currently on trial for transporting undocumented individuals during a 2022 traffic stop in Tennessee.

His legal team has argued he fears persecution in over 20 countries, including El Salvador and Uganda. Initially, DHS designated Uganda as his removal destination, but a judge blocked this after his lawyers raised persecution concerns. In a removal notice, ICE questioned the credibility of his widespread persecution claims, with DHS posting on X (Twitter) that he “is afraid of the entire western hemisphere.”

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem labeled Abrego Garcia a member of MS-13 and accused him of human trafficking, domestic abuse, and child predation. His lawyer denied these allegations, accusing the Trump administration of coercing a guilty plea in exchange for safer deportation terms.

Court documents reveal the Justice Department offered a plea deal with deportation to Costa Rica, where Abrego would avoid prison and receive residency or refugee status. He rejected it. Abrego remains detained in Virginia, with legal proceedings ongoing.