Liberia to Accept US Deportees
Liberia has agreed to accept up to 1,200 third-country nationals deported from the United States over the next 12 months, with the first group of 20 scheduled to arrive on Thursday at Roberts International Airport outside Monrovia.
Information Minister Jerolinmek Piah announced the arrangement on Tuesday, saying the deportees will include citizens or nationals of African countries as well as those from Western Hemisphere nations in North America, South America and the Caribbean who have been medically cleared to travel. None are Liberian citizens. Many of those subject to third-country removals have previously received US immigration court protection against return to their home countries because of risks of torture or other serious harm.
Piah framed the decision as a humanitarian gesture rooted in Liberia’s history as a destination for freed American slaves in the 19th century and its record of hosting people fleeing crises. “Liberia’s gesture is entirely humanitarian and in keeping with the country’s longstanding traditions,” he said. Officials stressed that the arrivals will be received as guests and may apply for asylum in Liberia or leave the country at any time of their choosing.
Justice Minister Natu Oswald Tweh said authorities have already screened the list of individuals. Most had immigration violations and offences, he noted, but the government emphasised that those being transferred are not criminals facing prosecution under either US or Liberian law.
The arrangement stems from an exchange of diplomatic notes in September 2025. Liberia insists the deal is not a transactional exchange and that it has neither demanded nor received direct compensation. It will, however, receive US support to manage the programme and strengthen its broader migration system. Some reports have pointed to additional assistance, including health-sector funding and extended validity for Liberian citizens’ US visitor visas.
The agreement is among the larger third-country deportation deals reached by the Trump administration with African governments. Similar arrangements have been concluded with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic, Ghana, Sierra Leone and several other nations. Washington has defended the policy as a lawful way to remove individuals who cannot be returned directly to their countries of origin. Rights groups have criticised the opacity of the agreements and raised concerns about conditions and long-term outcomes for the deportees.
Preparations are under way in Monrovia for Thursday’s arrivals. Liberian officials say the necessary logistics for reception and temporary accommodation have been arranged but no further details on the nationalities of the first group have been released. The US State Department does not publicly disclose such information for individual cases.
