The U.S. deported a group of migrants to Liberia, marking the first instances of third-country deportations under new policies. This group included around 20 individuals from various Latin American nations, according to reports from CBS News.
Upon arrival in Liberia, some deportees resisted disembarking from the plane. They were initially removed but later returned to the aircraft. Their current location and status remain unknown.
These deportations align with President Trump’s initiatives to enforce stricter immigration controls and deport migrants to third countries, where they have no prior connections. Liberia has agreed to take up to 1,200 such deportees throughout the upcoming year. These individuals will have the opportunity to apply for asylum in Liberia.
The Trump administration has been active in securing agreements with numerous countries, including those suffering from conflict and human rights issues, such as South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Regular deportation flights have also occurred to Ghana and Equatorial Guinea, among others.
The policy has faced criticism from human rights organizations, which argue that it violates international laws by potentially returning individuals to dangerous conditions they initially escaped. The U.S. government, however, sees it as a necessary measure to prevent illegal immigration, particularly for those whose countries resist accepting deportees or for migrants who have gained legal protection against deportation.
In addition to these efforts, the Trump administration is focused on deporting individuals like Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who previously faced wrongful deportation to El Salvador. Legal challenges, such as a blockade by a federal judge in Maryland, currently impede this specific deportation.