Liberia to accept 1,200 deportees from US

Liberia has entered into an agreement to receive up to 1,200 individuals deported from the United States over the coming year. The first contingent of 20 deportees is scheduled to arrive on Wednesday, marking a significant development in US-Africa migration relations. This deal represents one of the most substantial agreements the US has made with an African country amid its intensified efforts to control migration.

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will include citizens or nationals of ⁠African and Western Hemisphere countries who are medically authorised to travel.

According to Minister of Information Jerolinmek Piah, the deportees will include citizens and nationals from both African and Western Hemisphere countries who are medically cleared for travel. However, specific nationalities of the deportees have not been disclosed. Piah assured that none of the individuals being accepted by Liberia are facing criminal charges or prosecution in either the US or Liberia.

The Liberian government frames this acceptance as consistent with its long-standing tradition of providing shelter to those seeking refuge from persecution, wars, and conflicts. "We have always welcomed people who cannot return to their home of origin, and to reject these third country nationals would be acting against our best interest," Piah stated. This stance positions Liberia as a humanitarian haven, extending protection to individuals unable to return to their home countries.

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none of the deportees was a criminal or facing prosecution in the US or Liberia.

This arrangement follows similar agreements made by at least 14 other African countries in the past year to receive deportees from the US. Last year, Eswatini received $5.1 million from the Trump administration in exchange for accepting deportees, and Ghana also accepted 14 deportees. Liberia's participation places it among a growing number of African nations engaging in such bilateral agreements with the US concerning deportations.

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We have always welcomed people who cannot return to their home of origin, and to reject these third country nationals would be acting against our best interest.