Liberia agrees to accept 1,200 foreign deportees from the US
Liberia says the deal is a "humanitarian arrangement" and is receiving no compensation.
Liberia has agreed to accommodate up to 1,200 foreigners deported by the US over the next year, marking one of the largest deals the country has struck in response to Washington's crackdown on illegal migration. Information Minister Jerolinmek Piah stated that these individuals are being welcomed as guests and would be free to depart at their discretion or apply for asylum.
The minister emphasized that the deportees are not criminals or facing prosecution in either the US or Liberia, and the agreement aligns with Liberia's historical tradition of providing refuge to those seeking protection from persecution, war, and conflict. The US has been deporting individuals to third countries, including Ghana, Equatorial Guinea, Eswatini, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Sierra Leone, since taking office in January 2025.
The US maintains that these third-country arrangements are lawful, despite criticism from rights groups who argue they are opaque and lead to many deportees being repatriated. Liberia has not sought compensation or rewards for its participation in the program, but Piah assured that the West African nation will receive US support to bolster its migration system.
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