Liberia receives first group of "third country" deportees from U.S., officials say

Liberia welcomed its first batch of immigrants deported from the United States on Thursday, according to U.S. officials speaking to CBS News. The migrants, originating from various countries in Latin America, comprised roughly 20 individuals. Upon the plane's arrival in Liberia, a small faction of deportees resisted disembarking.

They were removed from the aircraft but later returned to it, with their current location remaining undisclosed. This marks Liberia's participation in President Trump's initiative to deport immigrants to third countries they have no connections to, as part of the administration's stringent stance on illegal immigration. The Liberian government has committed to accepting up to 1,200 such deportees annually, with the new arrivals permitted to apply for asylum in the country.

The Trump administration has also targeted Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was erroneously deported to El Salvador last year, and is currently fighting a legal battle in Maryland to prevent his return to the U.S. on charges of human smuggling. The administration has signed agreements for third country deportations with numerous countries, including conflict-ridden African nations like South Sudan, the Central African Republic, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

However, human rights advocates have condemned these deportations, arguing they are inhumane and unlawful under international law, as some countries return deportees to places they fled due to persecution. Despite criticism, the U.S. administration maintains these deportations are effective deterrents against illegal immigration and are lawful.