By Precious D. Freeman
Renowned Liberian human rights lawyer and politician, Tiawan Saye Gongloe’s passionate appeal to the United States President Donald Trump is to reconsider his administration’s plans for mass deportation and the suspension of foreign aid, urging that Liberia be treated as a special case.
Cllr. Gongloe’s appeal comes in response to the recent announcement by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which released the names and home addresses of 110 Liberians set for deportation part of a broader crackdown targeting over 1,500 Liberians under the Trump administration’s strict immigration policies.
The U.S. government has ordered a three-month freeze on almost all foreign development assistance while reviewing aid programs under the “America First” policy.
Speaking yesterday at an event where he was honored as Politician of the Year by the National Mirror Newspaper, Cllr. Gongloe urged President Trump to recognize the historical ties between Liberia and the United States and reconsider the impact of these decisions on the West African nation.
“I want to appeal to U.S. President Donald Trump to rethink his decision and treat Liberia as a special case regarding the planned mass deportation and aid halt. Liberia was founded by freed American slaves, and we are still trying to recover from years of war and economic hardship,” Gongloe stated.
According to Cllr. Gongloe, many of the Liberians facing deportation sought refuge in the United States to escape Liberia’s civil war and ongoing economic struggles.
He stressed that sending them back abruptly could cause severe hardships for families and the Liberian economy.
The Trump administration’s temporary freeze on nearly $70 billion in global development aid most of which is distributed through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has raised concerns among aid organizations and human rights groups, warning that it could jeopardize critical programs, including Liberia’s education, healthcare, and agriculture sectors.
As a leader of the opposition Liberian People’s Party (LPP), Cllr. Gongloe called on the U.S. to consider Liberia’s heavy reliance on aid for essential services.
“We want to call on President Trump and the American people to consider Liberia. Our country depends on aid for education, health, and agriculture sectors that are critical to our survival. We urge the U.S. to look beyond the government’s shortcomings in human rights, corruption, and the rule of law and instead place Liberia in a special category,” he emphasized.
Cllr. Gongloe also urged Liberian President Joseph Boakai to view the U.S. aid halt and deportation issue as a wake-up call for better governance and resource management.
“I want to call on President Boakai to take the issue of aid suspension and mass deportation seriously. This should serve as a wake-up call for Liberia to manage its resources better for the benefit of the majority of its citizens,” Gongloe stated.
He further recommended an Executive Order to reduce the salaries and benefits of government officials, suggesting a drastic cut from over US$30,000 to US$300 to address economic disparities and ensure responsible governance.
As Liberia awaits a response from the U.S., Gongloe’s appeal highlights the deep concerns about the potential fallout from the Trump administration’s policies and the urgent need for diplomatic engagement to protect Liberians at home and abroad.
