Two Jamaican Deportees Decline Government Offer to Return Home After U.S. Transfer to Eswatini

The United States deported three Jamaican nationals to the Kingdom of Eswatini, a southern-African state, in July 2025. Two of the men—64-year-old pastor Junior Alves and a second individual identified only as “Miller”—have told Jamaican officials they do not wish to be repatriated to Jamaica. Both men said they prefer to remain with their families in the United States, despite the Jamaican Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade’s offer of consular assistance and facilitation of a return.

Two Jamaicans deported to Eswatini decline to return homeJamaican deportees in Eswatini decline return to Jamaica, says Johnson SmithUsNews and World Report

Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister Senator Kamina Johnson Smith confirmed that the ministry has been in contact with the two men through the Jamaican Consulate in Miami and their legal counsel. She noted that Jamaica “remains available to provide consular assistance to the three men and to other Jamaican nationals overseas who require its support.” The ministry also continues efforts to locate the third deportee via Jamaica’s High Commission in Pretoria, accredited to Eswatini, and has lodged formal representations with both U.S. and Eswatini authorities.

Jamaican deportees in Eswatini decline return to Jamaica, says Johnson SmithTwo Jamaicans deported to Eswatini decline to return homeUsNews and World Report

• Junior Alves – Pastor who has lived in the United States for 44 years; protected under the United Nations Convention Against Torture since 2016.

Two Jamaicans deported to Eswatini decline to return home

• Miller – Identity not disclosed beyond the surname used in reports.

Two Jamaicans deported to Eswatini decline to return home

• Senator Kamina Johnson Smith – Minister overseeing the diplomatic outreach and consular assistance.

Jamaican deportees in Eswatini decline return to Jamaica, says Johnson Smith

• Orville Etoria – First Jamaican sent to Eswatini under the same program; repatriated to Jamaica in September 2025 with help from the International Organization for Migration.

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Lawyers and human-rights groups have condemned the growing practice of sending migrants to third countries such as Eswatini, describing it as “widely criticized” and raising concerns about due process and access to legal counsel.

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• “During the discussion, the men were advised of the consular assistance available to them and of the government’s readiness to facilitate their return to Jamaica,” — Foreign Ministry statement

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• “Despite the offer, both men maintained that they do not wish to return to Jamaica.” — Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade

Two Jamaicans deported to Eswatini decline to return home

• “Senator Johnson Smith in a press release on Thursday, said the ministry received an official report from the Consulate General of Jamaica at Miami following a telephone call initiated by one of the men, who was accompanied on the call by his attorney.” — Press release by Senator Kamina Johnson Smith

Jamaican deportees in Eswatini decline return to Jamaica, says Johnson Smith

U.S. Homeland Security has not disclosed the specific reasons for the three deportations, nor whether any criminal charges were involved. Jamaica’s ability to determine the men’s U.S. immigration status remains limited, leaving the ultimate legal outcome uncertain.

Two Jamaicans deported to Eswatini decline to return home