Liberia agrees to accept up to 1,200 third-country deportees from US

Liberia has agreed to accept up to 1,200 deportees from the United States over the next year, according to a government statement. The first group of 20 deportees is set to arrive on Thursday. This move comes as part of several agreements struck by the Trump administration with African nations to deport individuals who cannot legally be sent back to their home countries due to a risk of torture or other abuses.

The U.S. has maintained that these third-country deals are lawful, though rights groups have criticized the lack of transparency and the high rate of repatriation. The Liberian government stated that the deportees would consist of citizens or nationals of African and Western Hemisphere countries, provided they are medically authorized to travel.

No specific details about their nationalities were immediately available. The State Department declined to disclose such information. Liberia emphasized that the deportees would be treated as guests, free to leave at any time and eligible to apply for asylum. The agreement does not constitute a quid pro quo with the U.S., and Monrovia does not seek compensation.

The government, however, will receive support to manage the program and enhance its migration system. Liberia's history as a refuge for freed slaves and its long-standing tradition of accepting refugees align with this decision. President Joseph Boakai participated in a similar arrangement with five other West African leaders who visited Washington last year to meet with Trump, following his urging.