US carries out its first deportations under pact for Liberia to accept 1,200 non-Liberians

The United States has initiated its first deportations under a new agreement with Liberia, which will accept up to 1,200 third-country nationals being deported from the U.S. This arrangement is part of a broader initiative by the Trump administration to find countries willing to accept individuals who cannot be sent back to their countries of origin. The first group of deportees, consisting of 20 individuals, arrived at Roberts International Airport, located outside Monrovia, Liberia's capital, marking the beginning of this significant deportation deal. The deportees include five men, but the Liberian government has not provided information regarding their legal status or the circumstances surrounding their deportation. The specifics regarding the legal framework, costs, and implementation of the arrangement have not been fully clarified by the Liberian government. Questions have been submitted to Information Minister Jerolinmek M. Piah for further details, and responses are anticipated. This agreement is noted to be among the largest third-country deportations resulting from the Trump administration's immigration policies. The first batch of deportees is expected to arrive on August 20, 2026, as part of the overall plan to receive the total of 1,200 deportees within a year. The arrangement has sparked discussions and concerns about the implications of accepting such a large number of deportees from the United States, particularly in light of the ongoing immigration crackdown by the Trump administration.