US sends 20 deportees to Liberia under deal for up to 1,200
What's new: Liberian officials said most arrivals will come from Latin America, including Cuba and Venezuela.
A first U.S. deportation flight carrying 20 people landed in Liberia on Thursday, launching a deal under which the West African country will accept as many as 1,200 third-country deportees over the next year. Liberian Information Minister Jerolinmek Piah said most deportees are expected to come from Latin American countries, including Venezuela, Cuba and Colombia. The plane flew from Louisiana and stopped in Dakar before reaching Monrovia, according to Liberian security sources and ICE Flight Monitor. Liberia has said deportees will be received as guests, may leave if they choose and can apply for asylum. The U.S. has awarded Liberia $5 million this year for migration management activities.