Freetown, Sierra Leone – September 11, 2025: The Transnational Organized Crime Unit (TOCU) has confirmed that 42 Sierra Leoneans have been deported from the United States over the past seven months, primarily for illegal entry.
Superintendent Mohamed Kugba Allieu, head of TOCU, disclosed the figure during the weekly police press briefing held at the Police Officers Mess in Kingston on Wednesday.
He noted that the deportations highlight ongoing challenges linked to irregular migration, national security, and organized crime.
According to Allieu, deportees are not charged with any criminal offense upon return, but must be released to family members or sureties after counseling.
He added that some returnees face difficulties reconnecting with relatives, as many left Sierra Leone years ago.
The Superintendent warned that the number of deportees could rise sharply before the end of the year, with projections indicating up to 2,000 Sierra Leoneans may be sent back from the U.S. by December.
He urged citizens to embrace patriotism and seek legal migration pathways, stressing that irregular migration often exposes vulnerable people to exploitation and undermines the rule of law.
Migration remains a complex issue for Sierra Leone, where many young people see leaving as their only path to opportunity. Yet irregular migration often exposes them to exploitation, social exclusion, and legal vulnerabilities abroad. Globally, it also challenges Sustainable Development Goals such as SDG 10, which focuses on reducing inequality, and SDG 16, which promotes peace, justice, and strong institutions.
