Liberia has consented to receive a maximum of 1,200 third-country deportees from the U.S. within the next year, with an initial batch of 20 individuals set to arrive on Thursday, as per a statement from the government. The statement from the Liberian government mentioned that the deportees will comprise individuals from African and Western Hemisphere nations who have been medically cleared for travel. The specific nationalities of the deportees were not immediately disclosed, with the U.S. State Department stating that such details are not typically made public.
Historically, the U.S. has adhered to the non-refoulement principle, both in domestic immigration law and international agreements, which prohibits the return of migrants to countries where their human rights could be at risk. However, under President Donald Trump’s administration since January 2025, the U.S. has engaged in agreements with various African nations and others globally to deport individuals who cannot be sent back to their home countries legally. These third-country deportation deals have faced scrutiny, with some critics questioning the lack of notification provided to the deportees.
Immigration attorneys have criticized the use of third-country deportations by the Trump administration, noting that migrants are often sent to unfamiliar places, leaving them with limited options to return to their home countries. Liberian President Joseph Boakai was part of a delegation of West African leaders who met with President Trump last year, where Trump reportedly encouraged the leaders to accept third-country deportees. Liberia emphasized that the deportees would be welcomed as guests, with the freedom to depart at their discretion and the opportunity to seek asylum in Liberia. The government clarified that the agreement did not involve any exchange with the U.S., and Monrovia was not seeking compensation for accepting the deportees.
A report by Senate Democrats in February raised concerns about the nature of these agreements, labeling them as exploitative. The report highlighted that deals with countries like Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, El Salvador, Eswatini, and Palau had cost American taxpayers millions of dollars. Other African nations that have accepted third-country deportees from the U.S. include the Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Cameroon, Ghana, and Sierra Leone.
In a move to reduce the foreign-born population in the U.S., the Trump administration has implemented various measures, including encouraging unauthorized individuals to self-deport and revoking visas from foreign nationals. Recently, a federal judge allowed the administration to terminate legal protections for over 5,000 Ethiopians, following similar decisions affecting individuals from South Sudan, Myanmar, and Somalia. These protections, granted under the temporary protected status (TPS) designation, have been revoked for individuals from countries experiencing armed conflicts or environmental disasters.
Critics of ending TPS protections, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, argue that it could negatively impact the economy and sectors like construction and healthcare, which rely on immigrant workers. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has also condemned the mistreatment of migrants in the country.