Liberia will accept up to 1,200 foreigners deported from the US over the next year, in a major expansion of Washington’s controversial use of third countries to receive migrants who cannot be sent home.
When the US government wants to deport someone, but that person’s home country refuses to take them back, Washington has to find a new place to send them. This week, Liberia stepped up.
The West African nation agreed to accept up to 1,200 foreign deportees over the next year. The first group of 20 is landing on Thursday. Information Minister Jerolinmek Piah made one thing very clear about how they will be treated.
“The government wants to emphasise that those being brought to Liberia are being received as guests,” Piah said.
He noted that none of the arrivals are criminals, and they are free to leave whenever they want or apply for asylum.
Other African countries like Ghana and Eswatini have made similar deals. Eswatini even took a $5.1 million payment from the US. But Liberia says this is not about the money. Piah insisted they did not demand any cash rewards, calling the move “entirely humanitarian.” They will, however, get US help to manage the migration system.
SEE ALSO: Morocco Arrests Dozens of Migrants Trying to Reach Europe
The decision is deeply tied to the country’s roots. Liberia was founded in the 1800s as a settlement for freed slaves from the US and the Caribbean.
“We have always welcomed people who cannot return to their home of origin,” Piah explained. “To reject these third country nationals would be acting against our best interest.”
The planes are landing soon. The US gets its deportation problem solved, and Liberia gets to honor its history. But for the people stepping off the plane in a country they never planned to visit, the reality of being a “guest” is just beginning.
