Trump authorities intend to expel Kilmar Abrego Garcia back to Eswatini

In a twist of events, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, currently facing human smuggling charges, finds himself in the centre of a contentious deportation case. The Trump administration, despite a federal judge's ruling, is attempting to quickly deport Garcia to Eswatini before his trial concludes.

Garcia spent weeks in a notorious mega prison in El Salvador earlier this year after being mistakenly deported. He now claims fears of persecution or torture in at least 22 different countries, including his home country of El Salvador.

Initially, the Trump administration planned to deport Garcia to Uganda, but he objected due to fears of persecution or torture. However, the Department of Homeland Security has confirmed that Garcia will be deported to Eswatini instead, one of four African countries that have struck a deal with the Trump administration to receive foreign deportees, along with Rwanda, South Sudan, and Uganda.

The federal judge has ruled that Garcia cannot be deported until at least early October. Garcia is separately seeking to renew his bid for asylum. He prefers to be sent to Costa Rica, a country that has said it would be willing to give him some form of legal status should he be sent there.

It is worth noting that Eswatini, formerly Swaziland, is located in Southeast Africa and is roughly the size of New Jersey. The current ruler of Eswatini is King Mswati III.

Garcia is currently in ICE custody. In a surprising turn of events, the administration offered to eventually deport Garcia to Costa Rica in exchange for a guilty plea, but he did not accept the offer.

This controversial case has sparked debate and concern among human rights groups and legal experts, who argue that Garcia's potential deportation to Eswatini could put him at risk of persecution or torture. The report was contributed by CNN's Devan Cole.