Two Venezuelan men who lived and worked in the United States say they were sent to Liberia after months in immigration detention, despite having protection against forced return to Venezuela. They say they learned little in advance that they would be transferred to Africa, where they remain stranded. A., 45, told El País that officers forced him onto the charter flight and kept him restrained. “They kept us shackled by our hands and feet throughout the journey, which lasted about 15 hours,” he said. He worked in wind energy and said he had no criminal record. He was detained after attending a routine immigration check with his wife in early 2026. She was allowed to leave, but he remained in custody. They kept us shackled by our hands and feet throughout the journey, which lasted about 15 hours. Over the following months, A. passed through four US detention centers. He said his lawyer was not informed about the transfers or the later deportation. He also described suffering anxiety attacks and depression. When he resisted boarding, he recalled an officer telling him: “You either get on willingly or we put you on by force.” He said passengers began crying after taking their seats. You either get on willingly or we put you on by force. C., 36, also said he did not know Liberia would be his destination. He had lived and worked in the United States for five years and held a renewable temporary residence permit that allowed him to work legally. He also had protection against forced repatriation to Venezuela. After reporting to a routine immigration check in December 2025, he spent eight months in administrative detention, moving through nine facilities. His son was born during that time. “He is now five months old and I cannot hug him; I can only see him by video call. These are things you would not wish on anyone,” he said. The deportations have affected both men’s families. A. said his daughter began therapy and his older son has considered leaving school to work. He fears immigration authorities could also detain his wife. “I no longer want to live in the United States. I would rather seek asylum in Europe and take my whole family with me,” he said. He is now five months old and I cannot hug him; I can only see him by video call. These are things you would not wish on anyone. The flight left Alexandria, Louisiana, on August 19 with citizens from Latin America, the Caribbean and sub-Saharan Africa. Liberia agreed to receive about 1,200 people over one year under a bilateral agreement with the Donald Trump administration. Human Rights First and Refugees International said that between January 2025 and August 2026, the United States reached transfer agreements with more than 35 countries and deported more than 23,000 people to 26 nations. I no longer want to live in the United States. I would rather seek asylum in Europe and take my whole family with me.