# U.S. third-country migrant deportation policy > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/us-third-country-migrant-deportation-policy > Updated: 2026-08-18T19:32:11.000Z. Sources: 16. Developments: 2. The United States has implemented a “third-country” deportation policy under the Trump administration, redirecting migrants who cannot be returned to their home nations to various African countries. Initial operations involved transferring dozens of individuals to Equatorial Guinea, Sierra Leone, Ghana, and the Central African Republic, often using Senegal as a logistical refueling hub. Human rights organizations have criticized these transfers, noting that many migrants lack ties to their destination countries and face risks of indefinite detention or persecution. In Sierra Leone, 32 migrants were received under a U.S.-funded agreement allowing up to 300 arrivals annually. The scope of the program has since expanded through new bilateral agreements. Liberia has agreed to accept up to 1,200 deportees—including nationals from Africa, North and South America, and the Caribbean—over the course of one year. Information Minister Jerolinmek Piah stated the deportees include individuals from various regions, and the first group of 20 is expected to arrive in Liberia this Thursday. Justice Minister Natu Oswald Tweh confirmed the Liberian government has screened the list of migrants, noting that most have immigration violations or offenses. While migrants may seek asylum upon arrival or choose to leave the country, Liberian officials have characterized the initiative as a “humanitarian gesture,” noting that the U.S. will provide support to help manage the program and strengthen local migration systems. However, advocates have raised concerns that such deals may serve as a “legal loophole to bypass protection orders issued by U.S. immigration judges.” ## Claims - Liberia will accept up to 1,200 third-country deportees from the United States within one year. (corroborated by 12 sources) - The first group of 20 deportees is expected to arrive in Liberia on Thursday. (corroborated by 12 sources) - The deportees include nationals from Africa, North America, South America, and the Caribbean. (corroborated by 12 sources) - The United States will provide support to Liberia to manage the program and strengthen its migration system. (corroborated by 12 sources) - Liberia's Justice Minister stated that most of the migrants have immigration violations or offenses. (corroborated by 2 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-18: Liberia to accept 1,200 third-country deportees from the US Liberia has agreed to accept up to 1,200 third-country deportees from the United States over the next year, including nationals from Africa and the Americas, as part of a new migration agreement. 16 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/liberia-to-accept-1200-deportees-from-the-united-states ### 2026-07-31: U.S. sends dozens of migrants to African third‑country detention centers The U.S. deported dozens of migrants to Equatorial Guinea, Sierra Leone, Ghana and the Central African Republic under a “third‑country” policy, sparking human‑rights criticism over legal loopholes and detainee‑ 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/united-states-sends-dozens-of-migrants-to-african-thirdcountry-detention-centers --- Cite as: U.S. third-country migrant deportation policy. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/us-third-country-migrant-deportation-policy