| Photo via Wikimedia Commons
NEW YORK — The Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. has denied reports that a Filipino citizen was deported to the African nation of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), following an alarm raised by migrant rights advocates over a controversial third-country deportation.
Earlier this week, the Tanggol Migrante Movement, a U.S.-based Filipino advocacy group, claimed that one of ten foreign nationals deported by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to Eswatini was a Filipino. The group alleged that the individual was being held at Matsapha Correctional Centre, a facility known for overcrowding and poor conditions.
In response, the Philippine Embassy issued a statement clarifying that the person in question could not establish Philippine citizenship and, therefore, was not deported to the Philippines. After verifying with ICE, the embassy confirmed that no Filipino citizen was included in the deportation flight.
“We certainly do not want any Filipino, even a Filipino-American, to be transported and detained in third countries,” said Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez, emphasizing the embassy’s commitment to protecting nationals abroad.
Despite the clarification, Tanggol Migrante criticized the government’s response, calling it “sheer abandonment.” The group urged the Department of Foreign Affairs to conduct a deeper investigation and provide consular access to the detainee, citing concerns over due process and human rights.
“This case could set a dangerous precedent,” said Liza Santos, spokesperson for the group. “Third-country deportations are opaque and often violate basic protections for migrants.”
The incident comes amid renewed scrutiny of U.S. deportation policies, particularly under revived Trump-era protocols that allow for removal to countries with no direct ties to the deportee.
As of Friday, the Philippine government has not confirmed whether it will pursue diplomatic engagement with Eswatini regarding the detainee’s status. Advocacy groups continue to call for transparency and accountability.
The Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. reiterated in an official statement that it is prepared to receive all Filipino citizens under final order of removal, and continues to engage with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to ensure the well-being of Filipinos in detention.
Separately, Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) confirmed that the agency is ready to assist both documented and undocumented Filipinos facing deportation. It includes financial, legal, and reintegration support through programs like the AKSYON Fund and coordination with agencies such as OWWA, DOLE, and TESDA.
These statements reflect a coordinated “whole-of-government” approach to protect Filipino nationals abroad, especially amid heightened U.S. immigration enforcement under current policies.
There are partial records available, though the exact total number of Filipino citizens deported globally is not consistently published. However, recent data and official statements indicate that as of August 25, 2025, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), 69 Filipino nationals in the U.S. were in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) awaiting deportation.
A separate report from April 2025 estimated that up to 370,000 undocumented Filipinos reside in the U.S., with many facing deportation due to visa overstays, expired legal status, or minor infractions.
The Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. has stated it is coordinating with ICE and is prepared to receive Filipino deportees, offering consular support and reintegration assistance.
Also, the DFA does not regularly publish a global tally of deported Filipino citizens. Still, deportations occur from countries such as Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states, often due to visa violations or undocumented work. Malaysia has also deported Filipino citizens, particularly from Sabah. South Korea, Japan, and Singapore typically face immigration infractions, according to Filipinosinthefix.
