First U.S. Deportees Arrive in Liberia, and Liberians Want Answers

The first group of U.S. deportees arrived in Liberia on Thursday, after a deal to accept 1,200 people under “third-country deportations.” Fifteen deportees landed at Roberts International Airport in Monrovia, Liberia’s foreign minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti said, though the government initially stated 20 arrived. It did not explain the discrepancy or the status of the other five. Liberia’s information minister Jerolinmek Matthew Piah said the deportees will be held temporarily in a government facility and may apply for asylum in Liberia or return home, describing them as being received as “guests.” Critics in Liberia questioned the lack of transparency and how Liberia benefits, citing the country’s economic hardship.