Liberia has accepted a deal to receive up to 1,200 individuals deported from the United States, under an arrangement with the Trump administration. This marks one of the most extensive agreements of its kind involving an African nation.
On Tuesday, Liberian officials announced that these deportees will be gradually transferred to the West African country over the course of a year. The initial group, composed of around 20 people, is anticipated to arrive in Liberia on Thursday, as stated by Information Minister Jerolinmek Piah.
Piah noted that the program would include deportees from African and Western Hemisphere nations who have passed medical exams ensuring they’re fit for travel.
Deportees may have the opportunity to apply for asylum in Liberia, provided they fulfill specific requirements. Piah also mentioned that individuals will have the freedom to leave Liberia if they wish.
This announcement coincides with the US administration’s intensified efforts, under President Donald Trump, to crack down on illegal immigration and relocate some deportees to countries other than where they originate from. Several African nations have reached similar agreements with the US, although some details remain undisclosed.
The policy has raised concerns among immigration and human rights advocates, mainly due to the potential risks faced by individuals if returned to their home countries. Some deportees sent to third countries have had protection orders from US immigration judges that prevent their removal to their home countries due to safety threats. It remains unclear if any individuals scheduled for transfer to Liberia have such orders.
As part of the agreement, Liberia is expected to receive support from the United States to manage the deportation program and enhance its migration system. This represents a significant step in Liberia-US relations as the US continues seeking countries willing to accept deported migrants.
The initial arrivals will offer early insights into the program’s functioning and how Liberia will address the legal, humanitarian, and administrative challenges involved with receiving deportees from other countries.
