AT YOUNG AGES AND SOME PROBABLY IN THEIR TEENS while others were older, they went to the United States of America to be bonded with families, loved ones and to seek greener pastures from a country which is often projected as one filled with milk and honey.
FOR SOME, THEY WERE THE ONLY HOPE for their struggling families, hoping that some light would be shined on them and get lifted from a life of poverty.
ALL OF THAT WOULD BE SHORT LIVED when they became unsavory character, dabbling in a life of crime and everything wrong that would put their family at great shame in a country where gossips and rumors spread fster than the wind.
OTHERS LIED IN THEIR APPLICATION for political asylum, resident permit and citizenship and they got burned by the iron rod of the Department of Homeland Security who, soon after finding out, were placed on the bench those to be sent home to their real homeland, not the one they abandoned.
AND SO, CHAINED IN CUFFS and guarded by beefy and burly security guards in scenes reminiscent of Simon’s West Con Air which starred Nicolas Cage, twenty Liberians touched down the tarmac of the Roberts international Airport on Wednesday November 2, 2016 to a harsh reality of being back in a destitute country.
FOR A WHILE NOW THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA has been pressuring the Liberian government to accept scores of Liberians who were on deportation list as it’s become President Obama’s last wish to reduce the prison population in America before he leaves office.
AS THORNY AS IT SEEMS IN THE FLESH OF UNCLE SAM, the Gambia has refused to accept this decision, which has sparked a row between the two countries, leading America to halt the issuance of visas to officials of the Gambia government.
NO BAD BUSH TO THROW A CHILD, we’d say in Liberia, as brethren from the motherland came and were welcomed by their families. Some were disappointed by the outcome of a dream which had turned out to be worse from what they had dreamt of.
THAT ASIDE, AS THEY HAVE ARRIVED HOME, it is our hopes that these deported Liberians atone for the mistakes they have made as there’s always a chance for a second impression.
YES THEY MAY BE SHOCKED that some of the basic necessities that they had in the U.S. and took granted of is not in Liberia, but hey, whose actions led to them coming home?
A GOOD EXAMPLE TO LOOK at and be proud of is a man who was sent back home from the States with not a penny many years ago. Today’s he’s the proud owner of a radio station which is spreading its tentacles across the country. The years of purgatory are over for him to return but he’s loving life back here and his dream is to make sure his radio be heard across the country.
SURELY THAT IS SOMETHING the brethren can be proud to emulate. Welcome back!!!!
Support Independent Journalism
Your support helps FrontPage Africa continue delivering independent, credible, and impactful journalism. Every contribution strengthens our ability to investigate, inform, and hold power accountable while keeping quality journalism accessible to our readers.
Support our journalism or subscribe to receive the latest FrontPage Africa stories and updates.
