The National Coordinator of the Network of Ex-Asylum Seekers (NEAS), Abdulai Daramy has urged the Sierra Leone government to resist the arbitrary deportation of ex-asylum seekers and refugees from the United States of America (USA) and some European countries; noting that it is in contravention of the 1961 Convention, the 1967 Protocol and the African Union, UN and the Geneva Conventions on Human Rights.

At a press conference held at its headquarters situated at No. 54 Wellington Street in Freetown, NEAS coordinator revealed that since, the organization was established in 2011 and registered in 2015 as an advocacy network for the rights of deportees which campaigns for the enactment of a deportation Law/Policy that will enhance the reintegration of Sierra Leonean refugees in society and ensure their socioeconomic security, NEAS has rescued from stress and stigmatization 175 deportees.

From August 2019 when the US responded with illegal deportation of Sierra Leoneans, four have lost their lives out of frustration despite counseling.
Twenty others are undergoing medical care in mental homes.

Others could not be traced by their respective families as they move about the streets abandoned and alone.

NEAS commended Sierra Leone's Ambassador to the United States and Canada, Sidique Wai, for his statement on 25th January 2020 to authorities.

He informed the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other enforcement agencies that deportees to Sierra must present a Sierra Leonean passport and birth certificate before issued the Emergency Travelling Certificate to avoid deportation of non-nationals. The U.S. Department Immigration Officials must provide a valid deportation order from a U.S. Judge certifying that all legal remedies entitled the deportee under U.S Law has been satisfied.

Furthermore, NEAS is concerned with the unlawful imprisonment, coercion, terrorization, torture, etc, that are common practices used during deportation by not only the United States but most other Western countries forcefully removing migrants.

NEAS sees this as unacceptable and therefore calls on the government of Sierra Leone through the Foreign Ministry to take steps to ensure that the rights of Sierra Leonean asylum seekers and deportees are respected and protected.