Assistant Minister Gbaa Engages United States (U.S.) Embassy Over Potential Visa Restrictions
During the meeting, U.S. officials expressed growing concern over multiple visa-related challenges originating from Liberia. These include the overstay of non-immigrant visitors and tourists, the submission of fraudulent documentation, and increasing incidents of misrepresentation such as falsified identities, family relationships, and travel purposes by visa applicants. According to Mr. Worden, approximately 20% of Liberians granted non-immigrant visas to the United States do not return at the end of their authorized stay. This statistic has triggered heightened scrutiny of visa applications from Liberia and has contributed to increased denial rates across multiple visa categories. The U.S. representatives acknowledged the proactive steps already being taken by the Government of Liberia, notably the formation of a high-level presidential task force spearheaded by H.E. President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., and co-led by Mme. Sara Beysolow Nyanti, Minister of Foreign Affairs. This task force was launched to diplomatically address and resolve the U.S. concerns in a timely and effective manner.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that collaborative public affairs and communication strategies will be key in addressing the crisis. Hon. Saywhar Nana Gbaa and her team committed to spearheading comprehensive public awareness campaigns, including media outreach and community engagement, to educate citizens on the importance of compliance with visa terms and U.S. immigration policies. 'The Ministry of Foreign Affairs views this issue as a matter of national urgency,' said Hon. Gbaa. 'We remain fully committed to working in concert with the United States to address these concerns through transparency, diplomacy, and strategic public engagement. We urge all Liberians to adhere strictly to the rules governing their stay in the United States.' The potential restrictions outlined by the U.S. government cover a wide range of visa categories, including tourist (B-2), business (B-1), student visas (F-1), fiancée visas (K-1), non-immigrant visas, and the popular Diversity Visa (DV) program. The restrictions would not apply to lawful permanent residents but would significantly impact ordinary Liberians seeking temporary or permanent travel opportunities to the United States.
Liberia is among 36 countries reportedly under review by the U.S. government for potential visa sanctions. These concerns date back to assessments conducted during the Trump administration, which highlighted weaknesses in identity verification, passport security, overstay rates, and inadequate cooperation in repatriation of deportees. The U.S. maintains that countries failing to meet specified benchmarks within 60 days of the proclamation may face far-reaching visa restrictions. With only 50 days remaining, both governments agreed that immediate and consistent action is needed to address the outlined issues. The Ministry is calling on all relevant Liberian stakeholders, including travel agencies, immigration officers, and community leaders, to support this national endeavor. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirms its commitment to safeguarding Liberia's global mobility and fostering strong bilateral ties with the United States. Further updates will be provided as diplomatic and public affairs efforts continue in the days ahead.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Liberia.
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