In a surprising turn in one of the country’s most closely watched immigration cases, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has told Salvadoran national Kilmar Ábrego García that he is now set to be deported to Eswatini, a small kingdom in southern Africa. Earlier this year, ICE had planned to send him to Uganda, but those efforts fell through.
Fox News obtained a letter dated September 5, 2025, from ICE’s Office of the Principal Legal Advisor, notifying Ábrego García of the decision. Despite objections from his lawyers, the government intends to move forward.
“Your new country of removal is Eswatini, Africa,” the letter states. It also notes that Ábrego García has raised concerns about persecution in more than 22 countries, including El Salvador, Mexico, Cuba, Colombia, and Venezuela.
A Case That Drew National Attention
Ábrego García, 30, has spent much of his life in the U.S. He lived in Maryland, worked as a sheet-metal apprentice, and is the father of two U.S. citizen children. His legal fight with ICE has lasted for years, involving deportation orders, temporary protections, and international headlines.
In March, the U.S. mistakenly deported him to El Salvador, violating a 2019 ruling that said he faced serious risks there. He was held in a mega-prison before international pressure and a Supreme Court decision forced his return to the U.S. in June.
After his return, ICE accused him of human smuggling. Although he pleaded not guilty, ICE again sought to deport him, this time to Uganda. His attorneys argued that such a move would put him in danger, since he had no ties to the country.
A New Destination: Eswatini
The latest notice now names Eswatini as his deportation destination. The country, formerly called Swaziland, is ruled by King Mswati III and has faced criticism from human rights groups for its limits on political freedoms.
“This is unprecedented,” said an immigration lawyer not connected to the case. “Choosing a destination with no connection to the individual shows how arbitrary ICE’s third-country removal program can be.”
What Happens Next
Ábrego García’s lawyers have already filed emergency motions. His next court hearing is scheduled for October 6 before U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis in Maryland. Until then, he remains in ICE custody under a temporary restraining order that keeps him within 200 miles of Maryland.
Supporters argue that sending him to Eswatini violates U.S. commitments under international refugee agreements. Critics say he has run out of legal options and should be removed.
The letter obtained by Fox News shows just how far ICE may go to enforce deportation orders—even if it means sending a Salvadoran father of two to a country where he has never lived.
