Members of the House of Representatives have voiced concerns about the potential socio-economic crises that could arise if the United States follows through with mass deportations.
Approximately 1,500 Liberians are among the 1.4 million people worldwide facing deportation as part of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)’s enforcement of stricter immigration policies targeting undocumented residents.
During the 16th sitting of the second session of the 55th Legislature, legislators discussed the implications of this mass deportation. The conversation was initiated by Grand Gedeh County Electoral District #2 Representative, Marie Johnson, who urged the House to address the issue as a matter of urgency.
Representative Johnson emphasized that this would be the largest deportation of undocumented immigrants, including many Liberians, requiring immediate attention from the government. She recommended that the government, through its relevant agency, conduct an investigation to assess the total number affected and their specific needs in order to allocate appropriate resources.
She also highlighted the necessity of creating an integration program to support returnees, offering healthcare and education services, and collaborating with international organizations like the UN for additional support.
“There must also be a public awareness campaign to inform them about available support services,” she stated. Additionally, Representative Johnson urged the government to pursue diplomatic channels to potentially extend the deportation timeline, asserting, “We must act decisively.”
After reading her communication and engaging in a debate, the House unanimously voted to invite the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Head of the Liberia Immigration Services (LIS) to provide information on the criminal records of those facing deportation so that appropriate rehabilitation measures can be established.
