US sends 20 deportees to Liberia under deal to accept 1,200 third-country nationals

The United States carried out its first deportation under a controversial third-country national agreement, sending 20 individuals to Liberia on Thursday. This move is part of a larger U.S. effort to deport people to countries other than their own, with Liberia agreeing to accept up to 1,200 such nationals. The deportees include individuals from the Caribbean, North America, South America, and Africa. Liberian Information Minister Jerolinmek Piah confirmed the diverse origins of the group. Liberian Justice Minister Natu Oswald Tweh has indicated that these third-country nationals will have the option to seek asylum in Liberia. The first group arrived at Roberts International Airport near Monrovia. U.S. officials, including the State Department and Homeland Security Department, declined to provide specific details about the agreement or the operation, citing "operational security reasons" and referring inquiries to other departments. The State Department reiterated its commitment to enforcing the Trump administration's immigration policies, aiming to "end illegal and mass immigration and bolster America's border security." Third-country agreements are often criticized for potentially sending migrants to nations where they face safety risks or have no prior ties, leaving them with limited choices. The Trump administration has reportedly struck similar agreements with at least 35 countries. More than 23,000 people have been deported to 26 countries under such pacts. The agreement with Liberia, finalized in September 2025, does not specify the number of deportees or their countries of origin, though it states Liberia will accept those not from Liberia. One case highlighted involves Kilmar Abrego Garcia of El Salvador, who is fighting deportation to Liberia in a federal lawsuit after being mistakenly deported there instead of Costa Rica, which had agreed to accept him.

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It said it was "unwavering in our commitment to end illegal and mass immigration and bolster America's border security".