In brief
In a bold move, Liberia will accept up to 1,200 people the U.S. has sent abroad as part of its third‑country deportation scheme. The government says the newcomers are welcomed as guests and can leave or apply for asylum at will. Rights groups warn the arrangement is opaque and could violate asylum rights, while U.S. officials maintain legal compliance. Liberia, historically known for sheltering freed slaves, will receive U.S. support to strengthen its migration system.
19 August 2026, 11:45 BST
Liberia has agreed to take up to 1,200 foreign nationals expelled by the United States as part of its third‑country deportation programme. The first group of 20 people will land this Thursday, after which they may leave at will or apply for asylum.
Pahnian government stresses that the newcomers are received as guests and underlines Liberia’s historic tradition of offering refuge to those who cannot return home. “We will not demand or receive any compensation or promise of rewards in exchange for this partnership,” he said.
The Liberian minister added that the country would receive U.S. assistance to strengthen its migration system, but the deal remains purely humanitarian. The United States defends the programme as lawful, yet human‑rights groups argue it is opaque and often results in deportees being sent back to their country of origin.
Other African states such as Ghana and Eswatini already have similar arrangements with the U.S., while the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sierra Leone are negotiating terms.
Rights activists warn that the lack of information about the deportees’ nationalities and protection status highlights the risk of violating international asylum obligations.
U.S. officials have not commented on the new Liberian agreement, and no details have emerged about the support provided by Washington to the West African nation.
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