Monrovia: The Liberian government has firmly denied any formal request or agreement to accept deported migrants from the United States, dispelling widespread speculation triggered by a recent Reuters report suggesting that five African nations, including Liberia, were asked by U.S. President Donald Trump to take in undocumented immigrants.
“There has been no such request made by the White House,” clarified Presidential Press Secretary Kula V. Fofana, responding to public concern and media inquiries. The government’s statement followed reports that the U.S. administration had approached African leaders during a July 9 meeting at the White House regarding deportation agreements.
President Joseph Boakai, speaking to FrontPage Africa during his Washington visit, echoed the government's position: “What the Americans are expressing is concern over asylum seekers who’ve caused problems. They are not forcing anyone but simply opening a discussion. If and when a formal request comes, we will respond accordingly.”
The issue gained traction after Reuters cited anonymous sources claiming that Washington sought migration deals as part of a broader clampdown on undocumented immigration. The mention of Liberia a nation still rebuilding from years of conflict and economic strain sparked public anxiety over whether the country could absorb potentially large numbers of returnees, including those with criminal backgrounds.
Adding to the diplomatic tension, Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar confirmed that Nigeria had declined U.S. requests to accept Venezuelan deportees, which may have prompted a retaliatory 10% tariff from Washington. The revelation raised concerns about the consequences of resisting U.S. migration policy.
Amid the immigration debate, Liberia’s engagement in Washington yielded other significant developments. President Boakai formally requested U.S. support for a nationwide geological survey to uncover untapped mineral reserves, aiming to diversify Liberia’s economy and encourage sustainable investment.
This request aligns with a recently inked $1.8 billion rail access deal with Ivanhoe Liberia, a U.S.-backed company granted rights to transport Guinean iron ore via Liberia to the Port of Buchanan. The agreement challenges ArcelorMittal Liberia’s long-standing control over the Yekepa-Buchanan corridor, indicating a shift in regional mineral logistics and drawing U.S. strategic interest deeper into West Africa.
Asked about Liberia’s stance in the growing U.S.-China rivalry, Press Secretary Fofana was measured: “Liberia maintains independent diplomatic ties with both the U.S. and China. Our foreign relations are rooted in economic cooperation, not geopolitical allegiance.” This echoes the pragmatism of former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who famously advocated for trade over aid and global engagement on Liberia’s terms.
China remains a major investor in Liberia’s infrastructure, while the U.S. has traditionally focused on health and education. As Liberia prepares to assume a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council in 2026, there is growing internal demand for principled diplomacy, especially on issues of human rights, migration, and global peace.
President Trump’s seemingly offhand remark praising President Boakai’s English skills “such good English” also stirred a flurry of interpretations. While some perceived it as tone-deaf or patronizing, many Liberians viewed it as a reflection of Trump’s lack of historical knowledge. Liberia, founded by freed American slaves, has long upheld English as its official language, and President Boakai himself is a product of Liberia’s rigorous academic tradition.
In the end, while the question of migration remains unsettled, Liberia’s diplomatic response underscores a clear intent: to engage the world as a sovereign partner, not a subordinate. Whether future U.S. pressure will alter that stance is yet to be seen.