The United States is set to deport 1,563 Liberians as part of a sweeping global immigration enforcement campaign targeting over 1.4 million noncitizens with final orders of removal.
This measure, led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), highlights the Biden administration’s continuation of stringent immigration policies initiated under former President Donald Trump.
According to ICE data released on November 24, 2024, Liberia is among the nations with nationals listed on the agency’s non-detained docket for deportation. The report shows that 1,445,549 individuals are set for removal across various countries, with Liberia accounting for 1,563 cases. Other African nations affected include Nigeria (3,690), Ghana (3,228), and Senegal (1,689). Globally, Mexico leads the list with 252,044 individuals facing deportation, followed by countries like Pakistan (7,760) and Bangladesh (4,837).
The U.S. has intensified efforts to enforce immigration laws, focusing on individuals who have overstayed visas, committed legal violations, or exhausted legal options to remain in the country. Although President Biden sought to introduce more humane immigration reforms upon taking office, key elements of his predecessor’s hardline policies remain intact, including large-scale deportation programs.
For the 1,563 Liberians facing deportation, the move raises questions about their reintegration into a fragile homeland grappling with economic instability and limited employment opportunities. Many deportees have lived in the United States for years, establishing families and contributing to their communities. Their forced return threatens to exacerbate Liberia’s social and economic challenges.
“Liberians on this list have built lives here,” said an immigration rights advocate. “Their sudden deportation will cause hardship for families both in the U.S. and in Liberia.”
Legal experts urge those facing deportation to seek immediate counsel to explore any remaining avenues for relief, including potential claims for asylum or protected status based on conditions in their home countries. Advocacy groups have also called for the U.S. government to implement more compassionate measures, such as providing pathways to legal residency for individuals with strong community ties.
Liberia is just one of many countries impacted by the current enforcement measures. Other African nations with significant deportation cases include Ivory Coast (1,224), Sierra Leone (1,563), and Mauritania (3,822). Meanwhile, nations across North America, Central America, South America, Europe, and Asia also face considerable deportation numbers.
