US Begins Deportation of 20 Individuals to Liberia

On August 21, the United States sent its first group of 20 deportees to Liberia, marking the initiation of a new arrangement that could allow Liberia to accept up to 1,200 deportees as part of the Trump administration's immigration policies. The deportees arrived at Roberts International Airport near Monrovia.

Liberia's Information Minister, Jerolinmek Piah, indicated that the deportees would include individuals from various regions, including Africa, North America, South America, and the Caribbean. Justice Minister Natu Oswald Tweh stated that most deportees had committed migration-related violations and could apply for asylum in Liberia if they wished.

In return for accepting these deportees, the U.S. agreed to extend visitor visas for Liberian citizens from 12 to 36 months and pledged $124 million in financial assistance. This agreement is noted as one of the broadest third-country deportation arrangements pursued by the Trump administration, which has previously reached agreements with at least 35 countries.