Why the US is deporting migrants to Liberia instead of their home countries

On Thursday, the United States carried out its first deportation under an agreement that allows Liberia to accept up to 1,200 individuals who are not Liberian nationals, according to Associated Press. This marks one of the Trump administration's largest efforts to send deportees to countries outside their own. The initial group of 20 deportees arrived at Roberts International Airport outside Monrovia, representing various nationalities including Africa, North America, South America, and the Caribbean, as stated by Liberian information minister Jerolinmek Piah.

Liberian justice minister Natu Oswald Tweh indicated that those arriving could seek asylum in Liberia if they wished. Liberia described the arrangement as humanitarian, stating that the deportees were received as "guests" and that the agreement is not based on any compensation or rewards from the US. The US state department, while affirming its commitment to ending illegal immigration and enhancing border security, declined to disclose specific details about the agreement or the deportees.

Critics, however, have raised concerns about the use of third-country deportations, particularly for migrants who have no prior connection to the host countries and whose safety or legal status might be uncertain. The US administration defends these arrangements as lawful, and the agreement is expected to run for a year, potentially involving up to 1,200 third-country nationals.