US Deports Non-African Migrants to Liberia Under Third-Country Policy

United States immigration authorities executed a flight on Aug. 20, 2026, deporting non-African migrants from Latin America and other regions to Liberia. The flight landed in Monrovia as part of an escalating third-country deportation initiative implemented by the Trump administration.

A initial group of 15 non-Liberian deportees arrived in the West African nation after Liberia agreed to receive up to 1,200 foreign nationals under a bilateral agreement. Six of the 20 people originally destined for Liberia refused to disembark and were subsequently rerouted to Equatorial Guinea, according to report from El Pais.

Between Jan. 20, 2025, and Aug. 15, 2026, the U.S. government established third-country transfer agreements with more than 35 nations. Human Rights First and Refugees International report that over 23,000 individuals were deported to 26 countries during that timeframe, with over 300 transferred to 14 African nations including South Sudan, Eswatini, and the Central African Republic.

Many deportees had obtained withholding of removal protections in U.S. immigration courts due to severe risk of torture or persecution in their home countries. However, federal authorities are targeting these individuals for third-country removal because they lack permanent legal residence status.

Honduran native Elvis Rodriguez Venturas expressed concern over his placement in West Africa despite having a wife and four children in Texas.

“I’m concerned. I feel far away, on the other side of the world,” said Elvis Rodriguez Venturas, Honduran deportee.

Rodriguez Venturas previously worked in construction before his detention by U.S. authorities.

“I didn’t even know it existed,” said Elvis Rodriguez Venturas, Honduran deportee.

Colombian national Arin Garcia Yepes similarly reported having no prior awareness of the destination country before his expulsion.

“Honestly, I had never heard of Liberia,” said Arin Garcia Yepes, Colombian deportee.

Brazilian national Paola Ferreira Dos Santos, the sole woman among the Latin American group, recounted learning of her destination upon landing.

“I was the first to get off the plane, and they said, ‘Welcome to Liberia. You’re in Africa,'” said Paola Ferreira Dos Santos, Brazilian deportee.

Venezuelan national Carlos Tellez Sanchez, who resided in the Dallas area prior to his arrest, stated he cannot return home safely.

“Returning to Venezuela is not an option for me. I feel I could be in danger if I return to my home country,” said Carlos Tellez Sanchez, Venezuelan deportee.

Venezuelan deportee C., 36, stated he was held in administrative detention for eight months before the flight.

“I found out that I would be deported to Africa just hours before the flight. No one notified me; I found out myself by chance when I managed to see my name on the list of people who would be transferred to Liberia, a country I had never heard of before. I didn’t have time to defend myself legally or say goodbye to my family. I couldn’t do anything: everything was already decided,” said C., Venezuelan deportee.

He fled Venezuela in 2021 as an opposition member before moving to the U.S.

“As a political opponent, I risked a lot in my last year there. I fled Venezuela because I was about to be killed,” said C., Venezuelan deportee.

He worked two jobs prior to his arrest during a routine immigration check in December 2025.

“During the day, I worked selling vehicles and, in the evenings, I worked in food delivery. I led a normal life, respecting the law,” said C., Venezuelan deportee.

He was held in nine separate facilities during his eight-month confinement.

“During those eight months, I was transferred to nine different detention centers. They are places no one would want to be: dirty and full of rats. They are centers that also hold people who have committed crimes, but I am innocent,” said C., Venezuelan deportee.

His son was born during his period in administrative custody.

“When he was born, I was already in detention. Now he is five months old and I can’t hug him; I can only see him on video call. These are things you don’t wish on anyone,” said C., Venezuelan deportee.

A 45-year-old Venezuelan deportee identified as A. described forced boarding procedures prior to departure.

“When we arrived in front of the plane I tried to resist, but the agent said: ‘Either you collaborate and get on the plane or we take you up by force.’ As soon as we had taken our seats inside, we all burst into tears,” said A., Venezuelan deportee.

The Department of Homeland Security stated it is utilizing all lawful options to carry out deportation operations while offering a voluntary $3,000 stipend for self-deportation. The State Department declined to comment on specific diplomatic communications regarding third-country arrangements.