By Mohamed Kamara
A sister organization of the Network of Ex-Asylum Seekers (NEAS) in the United States held a conference call on Friday, March 14, 2025, with NEAS executives at their headquarters on 54 Wellington Street, Freetown. During the call, the U.S.-based spokeswoman disclosed that Sierra Leoneans lined up for deportation across more than 25 states have begun signing their deportation orders. She further revealed that the number of deportees initially reported by the U.S. Embassy in Freetown—previously stated as 11—has now significantly increased.
Speaking to this medium, NEAS National Coordinator, Mr. Abdulai Daramy, confirmed that his organization is on high alert to receive the deportees upon their arrival at the Freetown International Airport in Lungi. He stated that since former U.S. President Donald Trump publicly reinforced his anti-immigration stance, NEAS has been working tirelessly to mitigate the psycho-social challenges faced by deportees upon their return. These include community stigmatization, lack of accommodation, food insecurity, the need for counseling, family reunification, and reintegration into society.
Mr. Daramy emphasized that NEAS, established in 2009, has supported hundreds of deportees in various capacities. However, he pointed out that the organization operates with minimal funding, relying solely on limited support from Medico International, a Germany-based entity. Given its financial constraints, NEAS has been unable to provide long-term assistance beyond a few days of intervention. Despite reaching out to multiple government institutions for support, their calls for welfare assistance have yet to receive a positive response.
He stressed that deportees are human beings who deserve dignity and adequate support to rebuild their lives. Meanwhile, concerned families in Sierra Leone have expressed deep anxiety over the uncertain future of their returning relatives. In light of this, Mr. Daramy made a heartfelt appeal to individuals, organizations, and the government to provide humanitarian assistance to ease the reintegration process.
