U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has informed Kilmar Ábrego García, a 30-year-old Salvadoran national, that he will be deported to Eswatini, a small African kingdom. The move marks another twist in a years-long case that has drawn national attention and sparked legal challenges. Previously, ICE attempted to send him to Uganda, but those efforts collapsed after objections from his attorneys. Now, despite mounting legal pressure, the government insists on pushing forward.
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Letter Confirms New Destination
Fox News obtained a September 5 letter from ICE’s Office of the Principal Legal Advisor, formally notifying Ábrego García of the change. “Your new country of removal is Eswatini, Africa,” the letter reads. It also acknowledged that Ábrego García has raised fears of persecution in more than 22 countries, including El Salvador, Mexico, Cuba, Colombia, and Venezuela. His attorneys argue the decision further endangers him.
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Long Fight Against Deportation
Ábrego García has lived in the U.S. for much of his life, working as a sheet-metal apprentice in Maryland and raising two children who are U.S. citizens. His battle with ICE has spanned years, involving deportation orders, temporary protections, and high-profile legal fights. His case became a flashpoint for immigrant rights advocates and a symbol of the government’s deportation policies.
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Mistaken Deportation to El Salvador
In March, ICE mistakenly deported him to El Salvador, violating a 2019 court ruling that warned of severe risks there. He was placed in a mega-prison before international backlash and a Supreme Court ruling forced his return to the U.S. in June. The incident deepened scrutiny over ICE’s handling of deportations and renewed questions about compliance with court orders.
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Allegations of Human Smuggling
After his return to the U.S., ICE accused Ábrego García of involvement in human smuggling. He pleaded not guilty, yet the charge gave the agency grounds to resume deportation proceedings. In the following months, ICE attempted to deport him to Uganda, despite his lack of any personal ties to the country. His legal team argued the move was unsafe and arbitrary.
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Eswatini Chosen as Destination
The latest order now identifies Eswatini as the destination country. Formerly known as Swaziland, the kingdom is ruled by King Mswati III and has drawn criticism from rights groups for suppressing political freedoms. “This is unprecedented,” said an immigration lawyer not involved in the case. “Choosing a destination with no connection to the individual shows how arbitrary ICE’s third-country removal program can be.”
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Legal Challenges Ahead
Ábrego García’s attorneys have filed emergency motions to block the removal. A federal court hearing is set for October 6 before Judge Paula Xinis in Maryland. Until then, he remains in ICE custody under a restraining order that restricts his detention location to within 200 miles of Maryland. His supporters say deporting him to Eswatini violates international refugee protections, while critics argue he has exhausted his appeals.
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A Case Raising Questions
The letter obtained by Fox News highlights ICE’s determination to enforce deportation orders, even if it means sending a Salvadoran father of two to a nation where he has never lived. For many, the case has become a broader test of U.S. commitments to human rights and due process in immigration enforcement.