By George K Momo
MONROVIA, Aug. 21 (LINA) – The Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Information has announced that the first batch of 1,200 asylum seekers from the United States of America will arrive in Liberia on August 20, 2026.
According to Liberia Information Minister Jerolinmek M. Piah, the Governments of Liberia and the United States of America have signed an agreement for the dignified, safe and timely transfer of the 1,200 asylum seekers from the Unites States of America to the Republic of Liberia.
Speaking at a special press conference held Tuesday August 18, 2026 in Monrovia, Minister Piah said the arrangement is based on an exchange of notes between the two countries, which occurred on September 4 and 10, 2025.
He indicated that Liberia intends to accept up to 1,200 persons to be transferred from the United States of America within a period of one year, adding that those persons to be transferred to Liberia are third-country nationals, some of whom wish to seek asylum in Liberia.
He pointed out that under the arrangement, those to be transferred from the United States of America to Liberia will include citizens or nationals of African and Western hemisphere countries who are medically authorized to travel.
He disclosed that the first batch of 20 individuals to be transferred to Liberia under the arrangement will arrive in the country on Thursday, August 20, 2026.
He assured the public that the government had made the necessary preparations for their reception at the Robert International Airport (RIA) and their stay in Liberia.
The Liberia Information Minister emphasized that those being brought to Liberia will be received as guests to the republic in keeping with Liberia long-standing as a country that has provided shelter to all those seeking refuge and protection from prosecution, wars and other forms of conflicts.
Minister Piah said the persons to be transferred from the United States of America to Liberia should be accorded full Liberian hospitality during their stay in Liberia and shall remain free to depart the country when they so desire.
He, however, asserted that any person brought to Liberia and desire to make Liberia their home, will be accorded the alternative to apply for asylum in keeping with Liberian laws.
According to Minister Piah, the Government of Liberia intends to provide the transfer persons with the necessary support to seek protection in Liberia and to be safe during their stay.
He indicated that Liberia will receive support to manage the program and strengthen its migration procedures, adding that the Liberia gesture is entirely humanitarian in keeping with the country’s long-standing tradition.
“Liberia, the first black African independent nation on the continent, has a long history of accepting people seeking refuge from political and other crisis. As a matter of fact, Liberia itself was founded as a refuge of free slaves from the United States of America and other parts of the world,” he pointed out.
Minister Piah furthered that during Liberia’s years of conflict, many countries around the world including the United States of America did the same for Liberians that fled the country.