Liberia has agreed to welcome a maximum of 1,200 deportees from the U.S. who are citizens of African and Western Hemisphere countries and medically cleared to travel within the next year. The first batch of 20 deportees is anticipated to land in Liberia on Thursday, according to an announcement by the Liberian government.
The U.S. State Department has not disclosed the nationalities of the deportees, adhering to the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits sending migrants back to countries where their human rights could be endangered based on factors such as race, religion, or nationality.
Under President Donald Trump’s administration, the U.S. has engaged in agreements with numerous African nations and others globally to deport individuals who cannot be returned to their home countries legally. These agreements have faced criticism for lack of transparency, although they have been defended by Washington as lawful and essential for immigration policies.
Immigration lawyers have raised concerns that third-country deportations are exploited by the U.S. administration, often leaving migrants with limited options, including returning to the countries they were fleeing. Liberia, following discussions with Trump and other West African leaders, has agreed to accept the deportees without seeking compensation from the U.S. and allowing them to leave or apply for asylum if desired.
Senate Democrats have criticized such agreements, alleging that they involve secret cash payments and coercive tactics like threats of tariffs or visa bans. Other African countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Cameroon, Ghana, and Sierra Leone, have also accepted U.S. third-country deportees.
In a move to decrease the foreign-born population in the U.S., the Trump administration has been actively revoking visas and legal protections for immigrants, urging unauthorized individuals to self-deport. Recent court decisions have allowed the administration to terminate legal protections for thousands of individuals from countries like Ethiopia, South Sudan, Myanmar, and Somalia.
The termination of temporary protected status (TPS) designations has drawn criticism from various organizations, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which warns of negative economic impacts and labor shortages in critical sectors. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has also condemned the demonization of migrants in the U.S., receiving support from Pope Leo.