Liberia Welcomes First Deportation Flight from the U.S.
On Thursday, Liberia marked a significant event with the arrival of its first deportation flight from the United States, part of a larger agreement that allows the country to accept up to 1,200 foreign nationals over the next year.
The flight brought 20 individuals, mostly from Latin American countries like Venezuela, Cuba, and Colombia, as confirmed by Jerolinmek Piah, the Information Minister of Liberia. Many of these deportees had initially sought protection in the U.S. to avoid returning to their home countries, where they risked facing serious abuse or torture.
Liberian officials stated that these individuals will have the option to leave the country whenever they wish or apply for asylum. They will also have access to support services provided by the International Organization for Migration and the United Nations refugee agency.
According to reports, the flight departed from Louisiana, making a brief stop in Senegal before landing at Monrovia’s Roberts International Airport around 12:45 PM local time.
Liberia has long been known for its welcoming stance toward people escaping political and other crises. The country has assured that no one transferred from the U.S. will be sent back to their original countries until their legal cases have been fully resolved.
“The Government of Liberia pledges not to repatriate anyone until we have made a final decision regarding their protection claims,” officials noted. They emphasized that the deportees are not considered criminals and are welcomed as guests in Liberia.
As part of this agreement, Liberia will receive assistance to help manage this program and improve its migration systems. The United States has allocated $5 million to Liberia this year to support these migration management efforts.
Liberia’s acceptance of deportees makes it one of the largest such agreements in Africa, showcasing its commitment to providing refuge for those in need.
In addition to Liberia, the U.S. has also engaged with other nations in Africa, such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, and Ghana, to establish similar agreements regarding deportations.
