Sierra Leone receives first group of West African deportees from US

Sierra Leone received its first group of nine West African migrants expelled from the United States on Wednesday. These individuals, comprising five from Ghana, two from Guinea, one from Senegal, and one from Nigeria, arrived in Freetown as part of the US's immigration crackdown. According to a health ministry official, the deportees were traumatized by their detention in the US and expressed a desire to return to their home countries. The Sierra Leonean government has agreed to temporarily house these migrants for up to 90 days, with support from a $1.5 million US grant to cover associated costs. This arrangement is part of broader US third-country deportation deals with several other African nations.

Sierra Leone has received nine deportees from the United States, including seven men and two women. Five of the deportees are from Ghana, two from Guinea, and one each from Nigeria and Senegal. This action is part of the Trump administration's efforts to address illegal immigration. The deportees will be housed by Kenvah Solutions for two weeks before being sent to their respective home countries, according to Ecowas agreements. Critics argue that such third-country deportations violate human rights standards and put migrants at risk. The US Senate committee on foreign relations estimates the Trump administration may spend over $40 million on these deportations by January 2026. Sierra Leonean authorities have not disclosed any benefits received for accepting the deportees.