False Alarm: No Official Confirmation That 1,563 Sierra Leoneans Face Deportation Under Trump’s New Policy

Claim: 1,563 Sierra Leoneans are set to be deported from the U.S. due to a new immigration policy by President Trump.

Verdict: FALSE

Context: A viral claim circulating on social media and in certain media outlets states that 1,563 Sierra Leoneans are set to be deported from the United States in 2025 due to a new policy i.e. Executive Orders signed by President Donald Trump. This claim has sparked fear and concern among Sierra Leoneans both at home and abroad.

Given the impact such a policy would have on affected individuals and their families, Sierra Check investigated the accuracy of this claim by examining the available evidence and seeking verification from relevant authorities.

The Evidence: What We Found

1. The ‘Deportation List’ Isn’t Recent- Sierra Check reviewed the circulating document and found it was dated November 25, 2024, almost two months before Trump’s second inauguration on January 20, 2025. Since new executive orders are typically signed after a president takes office, this suggests the document predates any policy enacted under Trump’s latest administration.

2. U.S. Authorities Haven’t Verified the Claim- We reached out to the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Freetown to confirm the authenticity of the claim. They couldn’t verify it and directed us to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). On January 28, 2025, Sierra Check formally requested clarification from DHS. As of today, there has been no response. If such a large-scale deportation was underway, U.S. immigration agencies would have publicly addressed it by now.

3. Sierra Leonean Government Officials Call It an ‘Old Repost’- An official from the Ministry of Information and Civic Education, speaking anonymously, confirmed they had seen the list before and dismissed it as an old repost. This further weakens the credibility of the claim.

4. No Official Reports Support the Allegation- A thorough check of U.S. government websites, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), found no official records or announcements confirming that 1,563 Sierra Leoneans are currently facing deportation.

Conclusion- While Trump’s administration has historically taken a tough stance on illegal immigration and deportation efforts have increased, there is no credible or official evidence confirming this specific number of Sierra Leoneans facing deportation in 2025. As always, Sierra Check urges the public to verify information before spreading fear and misinformation.

Note: This story is developing and new information will be made available as we get it

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