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Pheap Rom, a Cambodian man recently deported from the United States, has shared his harrowing experience of being sent to Eswatini, a country he knew little about, after serving a lengthy prison sentence in the US. Rom’s case raises critical questions regarding the treatment of deportees and the broader implications of US immigration policies, particularly under the previous administration.
Journey to Eswatini
Rom, who was convicted of attempted murder and served a 15-year sentence in the US, was one of ten individuals deported to Eswatini in October 2025. This group followed an earlier batch of five men from various countries, including Cuba and Yemen, who were sent to the southern African nation in July of the same year. All deportees were immediately placed in a maximum-security prison upon arrival.
“I would have accepted being sent to Cambodia, but instead, I ended up in a place I thought was merely another detention centre,” Rom remarked, expressing his bewilderment at being sent to a country so foreign to him. Having arrived in the US as a refugee at the tender age of three, Rom’s understanding of Cambodia was limited, as he had never visited.
Lack of Due Process
Rom’s comments shed light on the severe lack of due process that many deportees face. He recounted his experience of being informed of his deportation with little opportunity for legal recourse. “I had no chance to speak to a lawyer after I learned I was being sent to Eswatini,” he stated. Instead, he was met with indifference and a directive to “pack your things and get out.”
The deportation took place under a cloud of secrecy, with Rom and the other men shackled and crammed into a plane for a grueling 21-hour flight. Upon arrival, rather than a warm welcome, they were met by armed military personnel and swiftly taken to the Matsapha correctional complex.
Conditions in Prison
The conditions faced by Rom and his fellow deportees in Eswatini were dire. Each man was allotted a meager roll of toilet paper and a bar of soap weekly. Initially, they shared clothing, as some had arrived with nothing but the garments on their backs. Their outdoor time was restricted to a mere 15 minutes per day, alongside just one phone call weekly. Local lawyers were barred from visiting, further isolating the detainees.
The mental toll on these men was profound. Rom described the deteriorating mental health of fellow inmates who feared returning to their home countries due to human rights violations or political tensions. One detainee even resorted to a hunger strike lasting 30 days. “It was making them go crazy,” he noted, illustrating the psychological strain of their situation.
Eventually, conditions improved slightly, allowing the detainees more outdoor time and the opportunity to shop once weekly. Nevertheless, the overall atmosphere in the prison remained oppressive.
International Reactions
Rom’s deportation to Cambodia on 26 March 2026 came six months after another deportee, Orville Etoria, was returned to Jamaica. Both the Jamaican and Cambodian governments had expressed a willingness to accept their nationals directly from the US, highlighting the peculiar nature of the US’s third-country deportation policy.
As of March 2026, Eswatini had accepted a total of four more deportees from the US, further complicating the already troubled relationship between the nations involved. Thabile Mdluli, a spokesperson for the Eswatini government, stated that they had received $5.1 million from the US to accommodate up to 160 deportees, assuring that the country was committed to respecting the rights and dignity of those within its borders.
Why it Matters
The experience of Pheap Rom serves as a stark reminder of the complexities and ethical implications surrounding deportation policies in the United States. As countries like Eswatini grapple with human rights concerns and the pressures of accepting deportees, it raises critical questions about the treatment of individuals who have already served their sentences. Rom’s story highlights the need for reform in immigration practices, ensuring that the rights of all individuals are upheld, regardless of their past. The ongoing dialogue surrounding these issues is essential, as it speaks to the very foundations of justice and humanity in a global context.