US deports 20 people to Liberia, the first of 1,200 migrants under Trump deal

The United States has deported 20 individuals to Liberia as part of an agreement for the African nation to receive 1,200 migrants. This deportation marks the first group under this deal, which is described as one of the largest third-country deportations facilitated by the Trump administration's immigration policies. The deportees, who arrived on Thursday, include nationals from Africa, North America, South America, and the Caribbean. Liberian officials stated that most deportees committed migration-related violations and can seek asylum in Liberia. Immigration lawyers suggest these third-country deportations are used as a loophole to return asylum seekers to their home countries, potentially exposing them to safety risks.

The United States has sent 20 deportees to Liberia as part of a new agreement where the African nation will receive a total of 1,200 migrants. These deportees, who arrived on Thursday, are part of a broader U.S. immigration crackdown. The agreement allows for the deportation of African nationals as well as individuals from North America, South America, and the Caribbean. Liberian officials stated that most deportees committed migration-related violations and can seek asylum in Liberia. Immigration lawyers suggest this practice of deporting individuals to third countries, often ones they have no connection to, serves as a loophole to deter asylum claims.

Liberia has agreed to accept 1,200 deportees from the United States, characterizing the arrangement as purely humanitarian and stating it is receiving no compensation. This decision places Liberia among several African nations, including Ghana, Equatorial Guinea, Eswatini, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Sierra Leone, that have made similar agreements with the US. These deals involve individuals whom the US cannot legally repatriate to their home countries. While the US defends these arrangements as lawful, rights groups have criticized them as opaque and have raised concerns about deportees being forced back to countries they fled. Eswatini, for instance, confirmed receiving over $5 million from the Trump administration last year. Liberia maintains its participation is humanitarian, though it will receive US support for migration system management.

Liberia has agreed to accept up to 1,200 third-country deportees from the U.S. over the next year. The first group of 20 is expected to arrive on Thursday. These deportees, including Africans and nationals from the Americas and Caribbean, will be received as guests and can apply for asylum in Liberia. The U.S. will provide support to Liberia to manage the program and strengthen its migration system. Liberia's government stated the arrangement is humanitarian, citing its history of accepting refugees. The deportees have immigration violations but are not considered criminals. This agreement is one of the largest of its kind under the Trump administration's immigration enforcement efforts.

Liberia has agreed to accept up to 1,200 third-country deportees from the United States. The first group of 20 is expected to arrive this Thursday, with deportees originating from Africa, North and South America, and the Caribbean. Liberian Information Minister Jerolinmek Piah stated these individuals will be received as guests and will be free to leave Liberia. This agreement, made public in March 2026, is part of broader US efforts to arrange for deportees to be sent to countries other than their own. The deal also includes provisions for asylum seekers to remain in Liberia if deported there and follows a 2025 agreement where the US offered incentives, including visa extensions and health service funding, to Liberia.

Liberia has agreed to accept up to 1,200 third-country deportees from the United States. This arrangement, described as one of the largest under the Trump administration's policy to deter illegal migration, will see the deportees arrive within a year, with the first group of 20 expected imminently. The deportees will include individuals from Africa, North America, South America, and the Caribbean. Liberian Information Minister Jerolinmek Piah stated that these deportees may seek asylum in Liberia or leave the country at their will. Liberia will receive U.S. support to manage the program and enhance its migration system, with the gesture characterized as humanitarian and in line with the country's traditions.