Liberia agrees to accept 1,200 third-country deportees from US within a year

Liberia has agreed to accept up to 1,200 third-country deportees from the U.S. over the next year, with the first group of 20 arriving this week. These deportees, including Africans and nationals from other continents, will be treated as guests and will be supported by the U.S. to strengthen Liberia’s migration system. The Liberian government highlighted its historical ties to the U.S. and its tradition of accepting people seeking refuge, stating the gesture is humanitarian and not part of a quid pro quo.

• Liberia will accept up to 1,200 third-country deportees from the U.S. in the next year.
• The first group of 20 deportees is expected to arrive on Thursday.
• The deportees will include Africans as well as nationals from North America, South America, and the Caribbean.
• Liberia will receive support from the U.S. to manage the program and strengthen its migration system.
• The Liberian government described the agreement as a humanitarian gesture, referencing historical ties to the U.S. and a tradition of accepting refugees.
• Deportees will be treated as guests, can leave when they wish, and can apply for asylum in Liberia.
• The government stated that the arriving deportees are not criminals and have not been prosecuted under U.S. or Liberian law.
• Other African countries have previously accepted third-country deportees from the U.S.