US slaps Liberia again with temporary suspension of non-immigrant visas
Monrovia, Liberia (PANA) – The United States embassy here Monday dealt another blow to the government and people of Liberia, placing “a temporary” suspension on the issuance of non-immigrant visas in the country.
The US diplomatic mission did not say the length of time the suspension of the non-immigrant visa would last, but clarified that the move did not reflect a change in U.S visa policy to Liberia.
The U.S. embassy in a statement said it would reschedule all appointments through its online appointment system.
But many Liberians are left with baited breath over whether or not the service will return anytime soon given that the same embassy just pulled out about 30 percent of Peace Corps Volunteers mainly assigned in rural Liberia.
"We regret the inconvenience this temporary suspension causes to applicants. The Embassy will continue to provide American Citizen Services and limited Immigrant Visa services during this period," the embassy stated.
But unsatisfied with the procedure in halting the visa issuance process, a delegation from the government of Liberia sought and obtained a rendezvous with authorities of the U.S Embassy Monday to get a clearer understanding of the issues.
Information Minister Lenn Eugene Nagbe, who is the government spokesman, declared in a statement that the Liberian government was satisfied with the explanation from the United States government.
He entertained the hope that their internal issues the temporary suspension intended to address would be resolved expeditiously to enable the U.S give Liberian travellers full service.
The government of Liberia, through the ministry of foreign affairs, also assured its citizens and the general public that bilateral relationship with the government and people of the United States remained mutual to the benefit of both countries.
"The Government of Liberia regrets whatever inconveniences this temporary suspension may cause its citizens and calls on all to refrain from panicking as this measure is only temporary,” a release from the Foreign Ministry said.
The Trump administration had said in April this year it was considering suspending or limiting entry to the U.S. for individuals from countries with high rates of short-term visa overstays, a proposal vaguely reminiscent of the controversial travel bans President Donald Trump pursued during his first year in office.
Trump in a memo directed officials to examine new ways to minimize the number of people overstaying their business and tourist visas as part of a renewed push on immigration in the face of the 2020 campaign.
-0- PANA PTK/RA 9Dec2019
