Deportation Likely for MS-13 Member to Eswatini Amid Rejection of Plea Deal

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an MS-13 gang member and native of El Salvador, is facing imminent deportation to Eswatini after declining a plea agreement from U.S. authorities. Garcia, who previously resided in Maryland, was notified of his removal after being detained and then returned to the U.S. earlier this year following deportation to El Salvador.

The Department of Homeland Security and ICE indicated that Eswatini was selected as his destination because Garcia listed 22 countries he fears persecution or torture in, including several nations across Africa, Central, and South America.

Garcia, 30, rejected an offer to plead guilty to human smuggling charges and serve his sentence in Costa Rica. He was detained at Putnam County Jail in Tennessee but was released on August 22 under electronic monitoring, with plans for deportation to the small African nation.

Previously, Garcia was taken into custody at El Salvador’s notorious Terrorism Confinement Center on March 15 but was released in June following a Supreme Court ruling. He was subsequently detained in Tennessee and released on bail, pending deportation proceedings. Initially, U.S. authorities considered deporting him to Uganda, but now they are opting for Eswatini, a constitutional monarchy in southern Africa.

According to leaked communications, ICE sent an email indicating a change in Garcia’s removal country from Uganda to Eswatini. He faces allegations of being involved in transnational crimes, and legal advocates are monitoring his case.

Eswatini, known for its absolute monarchy under King Mswati III, is one of Africa’s smallest countries, with roughly 32% of its population living below the poverty line.