The United States is planning to introduce a new travel ban that will affect citizens from Sierra Leone and 42 other countries, according to a draft policy under review by U.S. diplomatic and security officials. If implemented, this policy will result in strict visa restrictions and a sharp increase in visa denials for Sierra Leoneans seeking entry into the U.S.
The proposed travel ban, similar to the Trump-era immigration policies, places affected countries into three categories. Sierra Leone falls under the category of nations that will face severe travel restrictions, meaning citizens will be subjected to stricter visa application processes, including mandatory in-person interviews. This policy could significantly reduce the chances of Sierra Leoneans obtaining U.S. visas.
The U.S. government has stated that the restrictions are based on security concerns and weak vetting procedures in some countries. However, critics argue that such a ban will unfairly impact ordinary travellers, students, and businesspeople from Sierra Leone and other affected nations.
The new travel rules resemble the 2017 Trump-era travel ban, which was later revoked by President Joe Biden in 2021. If implemented, the restrictions could lead to legal challenges, particularly regarding the status of green card and visa holders from affected countries.
The U.S. government has not yet announced when the policy will take effect. However, sources suggest that final decisions will be made in the coming weeks.
Stay with Daily Scope Newspaper for updates on this developing story.
New US Travel Ban to Target Sierra Leone and 42 Other Countries
