US immigration deportations: Liberia agrees to accept 1,200 foreigners - BBC News

Liberia says the deal is a "humanitarian arrangement" and is receiving no compensation.

Image source, EPAImage caption, Liberia was founded in the 19th Century by freed African-American slaves

Liberia has agreed to accept up to 1,200 foreigners deported from the US over the next year in one of the biggest deals agreed so far by Washington as it continues its clampdown on illegal migration.

Such agreements with other countries have often involved people who are legally protected from returning to their own countries, for reasons such as persecution. It is not clear if those coming to Liberia have protection orders.

"The government wants to emphasise that those being brought to Liberia are being received as guests," Information Minister Jerolinmek Piah said.

An initial group of 20 are due to land on Thursday and would be free to go when they wished or could apply for asylum, he said.