By Amin Kef (Ranger)
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Alhaji Timothy Musa Kabba, has publicly acknowledged the rising concerns among Sierra Leoneans affected by the ongoing suspension of certain categories of United States visas, describing the situation as “grueling” and deeply distressing.
In a statement posted on his official Facebook page on Friday, December 5, 2025, the Minister said he has spent the past six months responding to an outpouring of messages from students, families and professionals whose plans have been abruptly derailed by the U.S. restrictions.
“Not a day passes without receiving messages from students who secured university admissions but were caught up in the suspension,” he wrote. “I also get late-night calls from families selected for the Diversity Visa program whose interviews have now been aborted. Genuine dreams are being shattered.”
The Minister explained that the suspension is linked to allegations of visa overstays by some Sierra Leoneans; a breach he said cannot be disputed. He cited a recent case involving a senior Government official, Abubakarr Sillah, Assistant Director of Labour and Employment at the Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security, who obtained a U.S. visa to attend the 2025 Diaspora Investment Conference in Maryland but failed to return after the event. “Mr. Sillah has since disappeared,” the Minister confirmed, noting that such incidents continue to undermine the country’s credibility.
Despite the challenges, Minister Alhaji Timothy Musa Kabba assured the public that the Government is working tirelessly behind the scenes with the U.S. Embassy in Freetown to find a resolution. He emphasized that the incident does not reflect the overall strength of Sierra Leone–U.S. relations.
“The depth and strength of our bilateral relations with the U.S. are not a reflection of this situation,” he said. “The U.S. private sector remains active in Sierra Leone, with multinational and bilateral partnerships stronger than ever. But every sovereign nation acts in its national interest.”
He appealed for patience from all affected citizens and urged Sierra Leoneans to uphold the integrity of visa privileges granted by foreign nations.
Meanwhile, the impact of a new U.S. immigration directive has intensified worries within Sierra Leonean communities both at home and abroad. On December 2, 2025, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued Policy Memorandum PM-602-0192, placing an immediate “adjudicative hold” on all pending asylum cases and most immigration benefit applications filed by nationals of 19 countries deemed “high-risk” for terrorism and national security concerns.
Sierra Leone is listed among these countries. Under the directive, USCIS officers are instructed to:
- Freeze all Form I-589 asylum applications, regardless of filing date.
- Halt processing of other immigration benefits, including Green Cards, employment authorization, travel documents, naturalization, and parole.
- Re-interview thousands of applicants who entered the U.S. on or after January 20, 2021, and subject their cases to renewed security vetting for potential terrorism or criminal risks.
The listed nations correspond to those named in U.S. Presidential Proclamation 10949 issued in June 2025; a roster that includes Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Somalia, Libya, Sudan and confirmed through diaspora sources, Sierra Leone.
As the Government continues diplomatic engagements to address the fallout, uncertainty remains high, especially for students, families and professionals whose future plans now hang in the balance. The Minister, however, reaffirmed his commitment to pursuing a resolution, urging Sierra Leoneans to “remain patient and hopeful” as talks progress.
