The Executive Director of the Center for Political and Policy Studies (CPPS), Mr. Daniel Korvak, is calling on all Liberians to strictly adhere to the immigration laws of the United States of America. His statement follows growing concerns raised by the U.S. Embassy near Monrovia regarding cases of visa overstays, document fraud, and misrepresentation by some Liberian travelers and residents in the United States. Mr. Korvak emphasized that these concerns, if left unaddressed, could have far-reaching implications for Liberia’s bilateral relations with the United States and could potentially affect the country’s global mobility ranking.
He described the U.S. Embassy’s statement as a “serious warning that must be met with responsibility, honesty, and national pride.” According to Mr. Korvak, the Center for Political and Policy Studies has received important updates from the U.S. Embassy through the media outlining a pattern of troubling behaviors among certain visa applicants and Liberian nationals residing in the United States. The issues reported include:
“These actions,” he noted, “do not only violate U.S. immigration laws but also undermine Liberia’s international reputation as a law-abiding partner. Every Liberian must understand that truthfulness in immigration processes is not just a legal requirement but a reflection of our collective integrity as a people.” Mr. Korvak further highlighted that violations of U.S. immigration regulations can result in severe penalties, including:
He reminded Liberians that these consequences are often irreversible and could impact individuals and families for generations. “No opportunity is worth compromising your name or your country’s image. Once found guilty of immigration fraud or overstay, the repercussions extend far beyond the individual they affect all Liberians seeking to travel abroad for education, business, or family purposes,” he cautioned. The civil society leader confirmed that the CPPS is in active communication with the relevant authorities to explore ways to sensitize the public and strengthen cooperation on immigration compliance.
He added that civic education campaigns will soon be launched to raise awareness about the importance of lawful travel, the dangers of misrepresentation, and the benefits of maintaining good standing with U.S. authorities. According to the Embassy’s assessment, the potential restrictions being considered by the U.S. government cover a wide range of visa categories, including tourist (B-2), business (B-1), student (F-1), fiancée (K-1), and other non-immigrant visas, as well as the popular Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery Program. While these measures would not apply to lawful permanent residents, they could significantly affect ordinary Liberians seeking temporary or permanent travel opportunities to the United States.
Liberia is reportedly among 36 countries under review by the U.S. government for potential visa sanctions. The concerns date back to reviews conducted during the Trump administration, which highlighted weaknesses in identity verification systems, passport security, overstay monitoring, and cooperation in the repatriation of deportees. The U.S. government has indicated that countries failing to meet established benchmarks within specified timelines could face far-reaching visa restrictions. Mr. Korvak urged the Government of Liberia and relevant agencies to take these developments seriously by working with U.S. authorities to ensure compliance with international travel and repatriation standards. “We must be proactive, not reactive.
The time to act is now by reinforcing our identity systems, improving passport integrity, and cooperating fully with repatriation protocols,” he said. He further called on Liberians abroad to be ambassadors of good conduct and to uphold the values of honesty, respect, and accountability while residing in the United States or any foreign nation. “As a people with a long-standing relationship with the United States a nation that has contributed immensely to Liberia’s growth and development we owe it to ourselves to maintain that trust,” he stated.
The Center for Political and Policy Studies, according to Mr. Korvak, remains committed to safeguarding Liberia’s global mobility and fostering stronger diplomatic relations through civic education, policy dialogue, and advocacy for responsible citizenship. He concluded by reaffirming that further updates and guidance will be provided as diplomatic and public affairs efforts continue in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy and relevant Liberian authorities. “Our message is simple,” Mr. Korvak stressed.
