-Cites Overhaul of Immigration Vetting
The United States will suspend immigrant visa issuance for Liberian nationals starting January 21, placing the West African nation on a growing list of countries facing strict new U.S. immigration vetting.
A State Department memo directs consular officers worldwide to refuse these visas under existing law. Officials say they need time to completely reassess immigrant visa processing protocols. The suspension will continue indefinitely until that review finishes.
The list now includes Somalia, Russia, Afghanistan, Brazil, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Nigeria, Thailand, and Yemen, among others. Liberia’s inclusion surprised observers, as it had not appeared on prior suspension lists. The Liberian government has not yet commented.
This global crackdown follows a major fraud scandal in Minnesota, where prosecutors uncovered extensive abuse of taxpayer-funded benefits involving many Somali nationals. In November 2025, the State Department ordered all diplomatic posts to enforce expanded screening under the “public charge” provision, which bars admission for those likely to depend on government assistance.
