Liberia at center of US third-country deportations sparking global scrutiny

Since early 2025 the U.S. has deported more than 23,000 people to 26 third countries, with Liberia receiving up to 1,200 migrants under a new agreement. A Liberia flight on Aug. 20 carried 15 deportees, but five reportedly refused to disembark and their identities remain secret, fueling debates over transparency and rights. The broader program involves millions of dollars in transfers to third countries and has sparked questions in Liberia about sovereignty, governance and what benefits, if any, the country gains from hosting non-Liberian migrants.