Nine Migrants Deported From U.S. Arrive In Sierra Leone Under New Deal
Nine migrants deported from the U.S. landed in Freetown, Sierra Leone, on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, under a third-country agreement.[1]
Sierra Leone's information ministry said the group includes five migrants from Ghana, two from Guinea, one from Senegal and one from Nigeria.[1] Sierra Leone's foreign minister said the country will temporarily receive only West African nationals under a U.S.-backed program.[1] The program is supported by a $1.5 million U.S. grant and is capped at 25 deportees per month and 300 annually.[1]
A U.S. federal judge recently halted a woman's deportation to Sierra Leone after finding she was not given an opportunity to seek protection under the U.N. Convention Against Torture.[1] Sierra Leone has hired private contractor Kenvah Solutions to provide deportees' housing, food and health care and says individuals should be sent home or transferred within 14 to 30 days.[1]
The arrivals mark the opening of a limited pilot that officials say will test third-country transfers while legal challenges and court rulings could shape future flights.
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📌 Key Facts
- On Wednesday, May 20, 2026, nine migrants deported from the U.S. landed in Freetown, Sierra Leone, under a third‑country agreement.
- The group includes five migrants from Ghana, two from Guinea, one from Senegal and one from Nigeria, according to Sierra Leone’s information ministry.
- Sierra Leone’s foreign minister said the country will temporarily receive only West African nationals under a U.S.-backed program supported by a $1.5 million grant and capped at 25 deportees per month and 300 annually.
- A U.S. federal judge recently halted a woman’s deportation to Sierra Leone after finding she was not given an opportunity to seek Convention Against Torture protection.
- Sierra Leone has hired private contractor Kenvah Solutions to provide deportees’ housing, food and health care, and says individuals should be sent home or transferred within 14 to 30 days.
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