By Amin Kef Sesay
In a Press Release from the United States Mission in Sierra Leone dated 30th March 2021 it was stated that the United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, has ordered the reduction of visa sanctions on Sierra Leone in recognition of the Government of Sierra Leone’s increased assistance in facilitating the timely return home of its nationals who are subject to final orders of removal from the United States.
It furthered that the newly arrived Ambassador, David Reimer, stated that: “I am pleased to announce this reduction in sanctions.”
“The abiding friendship between our nations is built on ties of family, culture and mutual respect, as well as political and economic exchange. We recognize and appreciate the Government of Sierra Leone’s improvements on removal issues and trust that the Government will continue to work with us in establishing a mutually-agreeable process for accepting Sierra Leonean nationals subject to final orders of removal from the United States.”
The Release furthered that effective March 31, the U.S. Embassy in Freetown will resume issuing all immigrant and most nonimmigrant visas to qualified Sierra Leoneans.
It continued that under Section 243(d) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) visa restrictions will continue to apply to B1, B2, and B1/B2 nonimmigrant visas for Sierra Leonean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MFAIC) officials and immigration officials until the Secretary of Homeland Security determines that 243(d) visa restrictions are no longer merited and so informs the Secretary of State.
