Eswatini has repatriated some people deported from the United States, with reports that 10 of 31 deportees have been returned, likely with assistance through South Africa. Concerns are raised by outlets that rumours suggest the repatriation may involve informal border crossings, prompting questions about whether deportees are being released in ways that bypass formal procedures.

In response, Eswatini denies claims that it secretly released deportees into South Africa illegally or enabled informal crossings. An explainer from IOL and related reporting say Pretoria rejects allegations that deportees are entering South Africa outside official channels. The dispute also includes information that three deportees have returned to other destinations—Yemen, Belize and Laos—according to Eswatini’s account, which contrasts with the claim that the regional movement is primarily into South Africa.