MONROVIA, Liberia (AP) — Liberia has agreed to accept up to 1,200 third-country deportees from the United States, according to authorities in the West African country. This arrangement is part of a policy aimed at deterring illegal migration under the Trump administration. The deportees are expected to arrive within a year, with the first group of 20 scheduled for Thursday, as stated by Liberia’s Information Minister Jerolinmek Piah. The deportees will include individuals from Africa, North America, South America, and the Caribbean.
The U.S. administration has established several third-country deportation agreements with African nations as part of its efforts to address illegal immigration. These agreements can involve migrants who have protection orders from U.S. immigration judges, which prevent their return to their home countries due to safety concerns. Minister Piah did not specify whether the deportees expected in Liberia would have such protection orders.
Piah mentioned that the deportees may seek asylum in Liberia upon arrival or choose to leave the country at their discretion. He also noted that Liberia would receive support from the U.S. to manage this program and enhance its migration system, emphasizing that Liberia's decision is humanitarian and aligns with the country's traditions.