Sierra Leone to take in hundreds of West Africans deported by US, minister says
Sierra Leone has agreed to accept hundreds of West African migrants being deported by the United States. The first flight is scheduled to arrive on May 20, carrying 25 nationals from various countries. This arrangement is part of a broader bilateral relationship between Sierra Leone and the U.S. regarding immigration policy.
- ▪Sierra Leone will take in 300 ECOWAS citizens from the U.S. per year, with a maximum of 25 per month.
- ▪The first flight of deportees will arrive in Sierra Leone on May 20.
- ▪Sierra Leone's agreement is similar to one previously made by Ghana regarding deportees.
- ▪It is unclear if the deportees will be allowed to stay in Sierra Leone after their arrival.
- ▪The U.S. has faced criticism over the legal basis for transferring deportees to countries where they are not nationals.
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Sierra Leone to take in hundreds of West Africans deported by US, minister saysSign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inboxPublished May 16, 2026, 05:12 PMUpdated May 16, 2026, 05:12 PMFREETOWN, May 16 - Sierra Leone has agreed to take in hundreds of West African migrants who are being deported by the United States, its foreign minister told Reuters, the latest such deal by the Trump administration as it tries to accelerate removals.The first flight of so-called third-country deportees will arrive in Sierra Leone on May 20, Timothy Kabba said, transporting 25 nationals from Senegal, Ghana, Guinea and Nigeria.“Sierra Leone signed a Third Country National Agreement with the U.S. to accept 300 ECOWAS citizens from the U.S.
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