Authorities in Liberia received the country's first deportation flight from the United States on August 20, 2026, under an agreement to accept up to 1,200 foreign nationals over the next year. The flight, which was expected to carry 20 deportees, included nationals primarily from Venezuela, Cuba, and Colombia, according to Liberian Information Minister Jerolinmek Piah, as reported by Reuters.
Many deportees were sent to Liberia to seek protection from being returned to their home countries, where they could face torture or other abuse, according to Liberian officials. The government stated that the arrivals reflect Liberia's longstanding role as a sanctuary for displaced individuals.
The migrants will be allowed to depart the country at their discretion or apply for formal asylum. They will receive assistance from the International Organization for Migration and the U.N. refugee agency. The plane departed from Louisiana, stopped in Senegal, and landed in Monrovia at 12:45 p.m. local time.
Liberia emphasized its history of accepting individuals seeking refuge from political and other crises, stating it will not repatriate anyone until legal proceedings are complete. The government clarified that those being brought to Liberia are not criminals and are not being prosecuted under U.S. or Liberian law.
Liberia will not demand compensation under the agreement but will receive support to manage the program and strengthen its migration system. The U.S. awarded Liberia $5 million this year for migration management activities. Liberia's agreement to accept deportees makes it one of the largest such deals in Africa, with the U.S. also reaching agreements with several other African countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo and Ghana.