The Government of Liberia (GOL) says it is deeply concerned over the start to crackdown and deport illegal aliens and “criminals” from the United States of America as well as the suspension of USAID’s global activities, including its programs in Liberia which affect health, agriculture, education, rule of law, among others.
In a release issued Thursday, February 6, 2025, the Government of Liberia said while it has not been officially informed about the mass deportation of Liberians in line with the new immigration policies of the US government, it is aware that four deportees, whose processing commenced long before the Trump administration’s pronouncement regarding mass deportation, will be arriving this week.
“Proactively, the Minister of Foreign Affairs has written the US Secretary of State requesting a meeting to dialogue on alternatives to deportation. The Government of Liberia is also engaging with the US Congress at state and federal levels to seek alternatives to deportation,” a Ministry of Information release stated.
The government noted that the Embassy of Liberia near Washington, D.C. convened a virtual meeting with Liberians in the United States which was moderated by Liberia’s Ambassador to the US, Dr. Al Hassan Conteh, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Sara Beysolow Nyanti. The meeting concluded with more active and coordinated responses through diplomatic channels on the mass deportation issue.
At home, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs remains engaged with the US Ambassador accredited near Monrovia, whom the government lauds for his openness in these engagements.
According to the release, an Inter-Agency Task Force has been activated to plan for any possible mass deportation of Liberians. It is chaired by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and includes the ministries of Finance and Development Planning, Justice, Internal Affairs and Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism.
Other agencies on the Taskforce are the Liberia National Police, Liberia Immigration Service and the Liberia Refugees, Repatriation and Resettlement Commission.
On the Suspension of USAID’s activities, the release said His Excellency President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has mandated sector leads in agriculture, education, health and rule of law institutions to immediately conduct impact analysis on the loss of funding from USAID and recommend mitigation plans.
“President Boakai and the Government of Liberia are concerned about the welfare of its Liberian citizens whether at home or abroad, and are doing everything possible to work with the country’s traditional partner, the United States, to find a common ground on the deportation issue and the suspension of USAID’s activities in Liberia.
“It is important to note that Liberia has no authority over and above policy decisions of the United States. Liberia can only engage, dialogue, negotiate and adopt strategies and approaches on these matters in the best interest of Liberians,” the release concluded.