- A Cambodian man, Pheap Rom, was deported by the US to Eswatini despite completing his sentence.
- Rom was sent to Eswatini instead of his country of origin, Cambodia, highlighting flaws in the US deportation system.
- Pheap Rom had never heard of Eswatini, a small African kingdom, before being deported there.
- The US deported 15 people to Eswatini in two separate groups, raising concerns about human rights and treatment.
- All deportees were sent to a maximum-security prison in Eswatini, exacerbating the concerns about their welfare.
Pheap Rom, a Cambodian man, was one of 15 people deported by the US to Eswatini, a small African kingdom, despite completing their US sentences. Rom’s story is a striking example of the flaws in the US deportation system, which can lead to people being sent to countries they have never known or understood.
Rom was convicted of attempted murder and served his sentence in the US. However, instead of being deported to Cambodia, his country of origin, he was sent to Eswatini. When he first heard the name of the country, he thought it was another immigration detention centre in Louisiana, highlighting his lack of knowledge about the country.
In October 2025, Rom was part of a group of 10 deportees sent to Eswatini by the US. They joined a group of five men from different countries, including Cambodia, Cuba, Jamaica, Vietnam, and Yemen, who were deported to the country in July. All of them were sent to a maximum-security prison, raising concerns about their human rights and treatment.
The US Deportation System: A Complex Web of Policies
The US deportation system is a complex web of policies and laws that can lead to people being sent to countries they have never known or understood. The system is designed to remove individuals who have committed crimes or are deemed a threat to national security. However, it can also lead to people being sent to countries where they may face persecution, violence, or other human rights abuses.
In Rom’s case, he was sent to Eswatini, a country with a poor human rights record. The country has been criticized for its treatment of prisoners, including the use of torture and other forms of ill-treatment. Rom’s experience in the country’s maximum-security prison is a testament to the harsh conditions that deportees may face.
Deportation to Eswatini: A Growing Trend
Rom’s deportation to Eswatini is part of a growing trend of the US sending deportees to the country. In 2025, the US deported 15 people to Eswatini, including Rom. The deportees were sent to the country despite having completed their US sentences, raising questions about the justification for their deportation.
The US has a long history of deporting individuals to countries around the world. However, the deportation of people to Eswatini is a relatively new phenomenon. The country’s location in southern Africa and its poor human rights record make it an unlikely destination for deportees. However, the US has been increasing its cooperation with the country in recent years, including in the area of law enforcement and counter-terrorism.
The Impact on Deportees
The deportation of individuals to Eswatini can have a significant impact on their lives. Deportees may face persecution, violence, or other human rights abuses in the country. They may also struggle to adapt to the country’s culture and language, which can be very different from their own.
Rom’s experience in Eswatini is a testament to the challenges that deportees may face. He was imprisoned in a maximum-security prison and struggled to understand the country’s language and culture. His deportation to Eswatini was a traumatic experience that has had a lasting impact on his life.
What Regulators Are Watching
The deportation of individuals to Eswatini is being watched closely by regulators and human rights organizations. The US has a responsibility to ensure that deportees are treated humanely and with dignity, regardless of the country they are sent to.
The case of Pheap Rom and other deportees sent to Eswatini highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in the US deportation system. Regulators must ensure that deportees are not sent to countries where they may face persecution or human rights abuses.
In March, Rom was deported from Eswatini to Cambodia, bringing an end to his traumatic experience in the country. However, his story raises important questions about the US deportation system and the need for greater protection of human rights. As Rom himself said, ‘We still deserve due process,’ highlighting the need for a more just and equitable system.
The story of Pheap Rom and other deportees sent to Eswatini is a complex and multifaceted one, highlighting the flaws in the US deportation system and the need for greater transparency and accountability. As the US continues to deport individuals to countries around the world, it is essential that regulators and human rights organizations watch closely to ensure that deportees are treated humanely and with dignity.
Looking to the future, it is essential that the US deportation system is reformed to prioritize the human rights and dignity of deportees. This can be achieved through greater transparency and accountability, as well as a more nuanced approach to deportation that takes into account the individual circumstances of each case. Only by doing so can we ensure that deportees like Pheap Rom are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve, and that the US upholds its commitment to human rights and the rule of law.