First 20 US-deported migrants arrive in Liberia

Twenty individuals deported from the United States touched down in Liberia on Thursday, heralding the inaugural cohort to arrive in the West African nation under a pact to host up to 1,200 foreigners from the US. This development is a component of a contentious US immigration policy initiated by President Donald Trump, which has broadened the number of individuals subject to deportation to nations beyond their countries of origin.

The aircraft transporting the 20 deportees touched down at Liberia's international airport in the late morning local time. Upon exiting the plane, the migrants were transferred to a bus, which promptly departed for an unspecified location near the capital, Monrovia. The Liberian Commission on Repatriation, Resettlement and Reintegration, along with government officials, were on hand to welcome the new arrivals.

Journalists were barred from approaching the migrants, who were unable to disclose their identities or engage in conversation. The Liberian government unveiled its agreement to host up to 1,200 foreign nationals deported from the United States within a 12-month timeframe on Tuesday. According to the government, those transferred to Liberia are free to depart the country at their discretion or seek asylum if they meet the requisite criteria.

The Liberian government has also stated that it has not sought or received any financial compensation or other benefit in exchange for its participation in the agreement. Liberia is the most recent African nation to engage in the Trump administration's expanded deportation program, which has faced criticism for the transfer of migrants to countries with which they may lack a prior affiliation.

Since assuming office, Trump has expanded the scope of his immigration enforcement measures, including targeting certain migrants who previously enjoyed legal protections that allowed them to remain and work in the United States due to concerns about persecution or insecurity in their home countries.