Liberia agrees to take 1,200 deportees from the United States

Monrovia, Liberia - Liberia has agreed to accept up to 1,200 deportees from the United States, authorities announced on Tuesday, marking one of the largest such arrangements under the Trump administration's policy to deter illegal migration. The first batch of 20 deportees is expected to arrive on Thursday, with the remaining 1,180 to follow within a year, Liberia’s Information Minister Jerolinmek Piah informed reporters.

The deportees will consist of Africans, as well as nationals from North America, South America, and the Caribbean. This is not Liberia’s first time entering into third-country deportation deals with African nations. In fact, the U.S. administration has struck several such agreements with various countries, often secretly, as part of a broader crackdown on illegal immigration, according to advocates.

A key aspect of these agreements is that they may involve migrants who have protection orders from a U.S. immigration judge against their return to their home countries due to safety concerns. Piah did not specify whether the deportees anticipated in Liberia have such protection orders. He further stated that these individuals "may wish to seek asylum" in Liberia upon arrival or "can leave the country whenever they desire."

Piah emphasized that this gesture from Liberia is purely humanitarian and aligns with the country's long-standing customs. He added that the U.S. will provide support to Liberia to manage the program and enhance its migration system. This report was sourced from an automated news agency feed and has not been modified.