Some West African leaders recently discussed with President Trump the possibility of accepting deportees, but Nigeria has rejected such pressure, citing overpopulation and other priorities.

In Eswatini, pro-democracy protests in 2021 resulted in deaths allegedly caused by security forces, raising ongoing human rights concerns in the country.

The resumption of expedited deportations follows new guidance allowing for rapid removals without guarantees of safety, amid ongoing controversy over the secrecy of these deals.

Despite tensions, Nigeria emphasizes its strategic cooperation with the U.S. in areas like energy and technology, but remains firm that accepting deported criminals is non-negotiable.

The Trump administration has resumed workplace raids against undocumented immigrants, marking a shift from policies under the Biden administration.

The U.S. has expanded its third-country deportation program by deporting five migrants described as 'barbaric' criminals to Eswatini, though authorities there have not commented on any agreement, raising concerns about human rights and legal protections.

The acting ICE director stated that deportations to third countries are permitted if those countries guarantee no persecution or torture, though critics argue this process lacks sufficient legal safeguards.

Under new ICE policies, migrants can be deported to third countries with as little as six hours' notice in urgent cases, often with limited procedural protections, raising human rights concerns.

Previous deportations to South Sudan faced similar secrecy, with concerns over the fate of deported individuals, and critics argue that countries like South Sudan and Eswatini should not be used as 'dumping grounds' for criminals.

Tensions with Nigeria have escalated, especially after Nigeria's Foreign Minister denied being approached to accept Venezuelan deportees, with Nigeria citing overpopulation and expressing that accepting deportees is not feasible.

Human rights advocates continue to raise concerns about due process and potential human rights violations linked to the administration's aggressive deportation policies.

President Trump has made illegal immigration a top priority, often describing it as an 'invasion,' and has focused on mass deportations targeting not only undocumented immigrants but also those on visas and refugees, despite legal challenges.