Liberia: Foreign Minister Says Government Engaging U.S., Taking Proactive Steps to Avert Deportations

Somalia tops African deportation list as U.S.intensifies crackdown.

Monrovia — The Liberian government has broken its silence on reports that the United States plans to deport over 1,500 Liberians living in the country illegally.

Earlier this week, reports emerged that the U.S. government is set to deport 1,563 Liberians as part of a broader crackdown on illegal immigration under the Trump administration. The deportation is part of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)'s efforts to enforce stricter immigration policies targeting undocumented residents.

FrontPage Africa has learned that the Liberians in question are among the 1.4 million individuals ICE has listed for deportation as of November 2024. While the exact timeline for their removal remains unclear, reports indicate that deportations of undocumented immigrants have already begun under the administration's policies.

Speaking to FrontPage Africa, Liberia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Madam Sara Beysolow Nyanti, said that while the Liberian government has not received official communication from U.S. authorities, it is taking proactive measures.

She said: "We are consulting with US authorities. We have not received anything in writing from the US Government. However, given the ongoing events, we are engaging from the perspective that the number of Liberians reportedly listed for deportation could be correct - and we could be on a list to have citizens deported. We are being proactive to take steps to appeal before they get to us in writing. The US Government will get back to us officially on the numbers for Liberia."

U.S. Immigration Policy Tightens Under Trump Administration

Minister Nyanti's comments come a day after President Donald Trump signed the Laken Riley Act into law, marking a significant shift in U.S. immigration policy. The law mandates the detention and potential deportation of undocumented immigrants accused of theft and violent crimes, even before conviction.

The legislation is named after Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student who was killed by an undocumented immigrant in February 2024. The controversial law has intensified immigration enforcement across the U.S.

Following the passage of the bill, reports surfaced of an updated list of the first 110 Liberians scheduled for deportation. The list allegedly includes details such as birth dates, counties of origin, arrival dates in the U.S., and current living situations.

While the Liberian government has not yet verified the list, reports of impending deportations have raised concerns for the affected individuals, their families, and Liberia's already fragile economy.

Liberian Government Engaging U.S. Authorities

In response to the reports, a statement attributed to the Liberian Embassy in Washington, D.C., confirmed that the government is actively engaging with U.S. officials.

"The Government of Liberia is working with the U.S. Embassy in Monrovia and the U.S. Department of State to address the planned deportation of approximately 1,500 Liberians by the Trump administration," the statement read.

The embassy emphasized that the government is committed to protecting the interests of its citizens abroad and is seeking diplomatic solutions. It added that Foreign Minister Nyanti has requested a meeting with the new U.S. Secretary of State to explore alternatives to deportation.

"The Government of Liberia values its partnership with the United States and is working closely to find a mutually beneficial solution," the statement continued.

It further assured that President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr.'s administration is committed to ensuring the welfare and safety of Liberian citizens abroad.

Deportation Raises Concerns Over Reintegration Efforts

If the deportations proceed, it will not be the first time Liberia has faced such a situation. Under the Obama administration, dozens of Liberians were deported--many of them without criminal records. Upon arrival, several were detained, and it took strong advocacy from civil society groups to secure their release.

As the current deportation process unfolds, concerns are growing within the Liberian community in the U.S. and back home about the challenges these individuals will face upon their return.

Questions are being raised about what measures the Liberian government--through the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Justice--will implement to receive and reintegrate deportees. Will there be a structured reintegration program, or will deportees face detention upon arrival, as seen under the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf administration in 2009?

Expert Weighs In

Liberian scholar and political analyst Clarence Pearson said the deportation list is not just a record of those affected but also a reflection of the complex realities of immigration policies today.

This situation, he said, underscores the difficult challenges faced by undocumented immigrants and their home countries. The question now is how the Liberian government will handle this situation to protect its citizens and minimize the economic and social impact.

As the situation develops, all eyes will be on the Liberian government's next steps and how it navigates this delicate diplomatic and humanitarian issue.

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