First US deportees land in Liberia

Twenty migrants deported from the United States arrived in Liberia on Thursday, marking the first group of up to 1,200 foreign nationals the West African nation has agreed to accept. This agreement positions Liberia as the latest African country to take in migrants deported under U.S. President Donald Trump's immigration policies.

A plane carrying the 20 individuals landed at the country's international airport near the capital, Monrovia, shortly before 1:00 p.m. local time. Staff from the Liberian Commission on Repatriation, Resettlement and Reintegration were present to assist the arrivals. Reporters were prevented from approaching the deportees or speaking with them.

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free to depart the country when they so desire

Liberia announced on Tuesday its willingness to accept up to 1,200 foreign nationals deported from the U.S. within a year. The government clarified that these individuals are "free to depart the country when they so desire" or may apply for asylum. Crucially, the government stated that it "has not demanded or received any compensation or promise of rewards in exchange for its consent to participate in the programme."

This development occurs as the Trump administration expands eligibility for deportation, targeting individuals who previously held legal protections in the U.S. that allowed them to live and work there, often due to fear of persecution in their home countries. The U.S. administration argues that current legal frameworks prevent the direct deportation of such individuals to their home nations.

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has not demanded or received any compensation or promise of rewards in exchange for its consent to participate in the programme