Liberia Receives 20 Under U.S. Transfer Agreement

Published: August 21, 2026

HARBEL, Margibi County — Liberia took in 20 foreign nationals transferred out of the United States on Thursday, the first arrivals under an agreement that could bring up to 1,200 people here within a year and bars Liberia from sending any of them home while their protection claims are pending.

The group landed at Roberts International Airport and was received by the Liberia Refugee Repatriation and Resettlement Commission, which moved them to an LRRRC facility in Monrovia while Liberian authorities determine their status.

The transfers run on an agreement Liberia and the United States reached through an exchange of diplomatic notes in Monrovia on Sept. 10, 2025. Under it, the United States may propose sending Liberia people who are nationals of neither country and who may seek protection against being returned to their own. Liberia may accept or reject each proposal, and may not return anyone transferred to their country of origin or former habitual residence while a protection claim is open.

Information Minister Jerolinmek M. Piah announced Tuesday that the first 20 would arrive Thursday, and said the government had arranged their reception and accommodation. He said they would be medically cleared nationals of African and Western Hemisphere countries, and that some may seek asylum here.

“However, any person brought to Liberia who wishes to make the country their home will be accorded the opportunity to apply for asylum in accordance with Liberian laws,” Piah said.

Those transferred remain free to leave Liberia, according to the government, and Liberia will get outside help to run the program.

“The government further notes that Liberia will receive support to manage the program and strengthen its migration system more broadly,” Piah said.

Piah did not say what that support consists of, who is providing it or what it is worth.

The Boakai administration has cast the arrangement as humanitarian and argued that turning it down would not serve Liberia’s interest.

“Liberia’s gesture is entirely humanitarian and is consistent with the country’s long-standing tradition of welcoming people in need of refuge,” Piah said. “As Africa’s first independent republic, Liberia has a long history of accepting people fleeing political and other crises.”

Piah said those arriving would be treated as guests of the republic, and called on Liberians to receive them with courtesy and what he called Liberia’s true African hospitality.