SierraLeone Commits To Repatriating Citizens Overstaying in U.S
By Kelvin Jay
In a bid to ensure Sierra Leone’s removal from the U.S. visa restrictions list, the Government of Sierra Leone, under the leadership of President Julius Maada Bio, has pledged full cooperation with the United States to repatriate citizens who have overstayed their visas.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Timothy Kabba, revealed that a tripartite committee has been set up comprising representatives from the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA), the Immigration Department, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The committee’s mandate is to identify Sierra Leoneans who traveled with genuine national documents but are now residing illegally in the U.S., with the ultimate goal of facilitating their return.
“This committee is currently conducting a thorough vetting process, and once Sierra Leoneans who traveled with our national documents and are living abroad illegally are identified, we will facilitate their return home,” Minister Kabba said.
He stressed that the Government is working closely with U.S. authorities to ensure that the visa restrictions imposed on SierraLeone are lifted.
The Minister further appealed to Sierra Leoneans overstaying in the U.S. to cooperate voluntarily, noting that returning home would help restore opportunities for other citizens wishing to travel legally to the United States.
