In an era where misinformation spreads like wildfire, it is crucial to separate facts from fiction. Recently, images have been circulating across social media, suggesting that Liberians in America are currently protesting against former President Donald Trump’s reinstated deportation program. However, an independent investigation by Geez Liberia has verified that these claims are entirely false and misleading.
The images in question date back to 2018, a period when President Trump, who took office in 2017, first introduced the Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) termination plans aimed at deporting thousands of Africans, including Liberians. At that time, the Liberian community in America—most notably in Minnesota and Philadelphia—mobilized in large numbers, taking to the streets and government offices to plead for an extension. Their voices were heard, and Trump granted a temporary extension, stating that Liberia’s conditions had improved since the Ebola crisis and civil war. However, in the interest of an orderly transition, he extended the program until March 2019.
What was initially a one-year extension turned into two, three, and eventually, four years. Then came the Biden administration, which, whether intentionally or not, seemingly ignored the program, allowing it to continue for another four years. This prolonged stay gave many Liberians the opportunity to adjust their status, with thousands securing either U.S. citizenship or legal residency. The undeniable impact of Liberian immigrants—nurses, caregivers, drivers, cleaners, and teachers—likely played a role in this prolonged leniency.
But now, with Trump back on the political stage, the program has been reactivated. Fortunately, the majority of the estimated 95,000 Liberians in America have managed to secure their legal stay. Reports indicate that of the 1,536 individuals facing deportation, most have immigration-related criminal records, suggesting that this round of deportations is not a blanket expulsion but rather a targeted enforcement action.
The misinformation surrounding these images is a stark reminder of the power of social media to distort reality. While the struggles of Liberians in America should never be downplayed, it is important to ensure that discussions are grounded in truth rather than sensationalism. The fight for immigrant rights continues, but it must be waged with facts, not outdated images masquerading as current events.
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