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Dodging the Ban: Liberia Escapes Trump’s New Travel Blocklist at the Last Minute!

  • Writer: Michael T
    Michael T
  • Jun 5
  • 3 min read

Foreign Minister Madam Sara Beysolow Nyanti
Foreign Minister Madam Sara Beysolow Nyanti

Liberia has narrowly avoided being swept up in President Trump’s latest round of sweeping US travel restrictions—a relief for many in Monrovia after months of uncertainty and diplomatic anxiety. Earlier this year, leaked US State Department documents revealed that Liberia was among 22 countries placed on a so-called “yellow list,” a warning category that signaled the nation had 60 days to address a series of security and governance deficiencies or face possible inclusion in a new travel ban[2][5][6]. The deficiencies cited included weak passport controls, poor information-sharing with US authorities, and allegations of the sale of Liberian citizenship and diplomatic passports—problems that have plagued the country for years and led to high-profile scandals[3][4][10].


The leak sent panic through the Liberian government and public, triggering emergency Senate hearings and urgent diplomatic outreach to Washington[5][6]. Foreign Affairs Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti acknowledged the seriousness of the situation, confirming that the US had repeatedly raised concerns about passport fraud and the overstay of Liberian officials and citizens in America[10]. She assured lawmakers that the government was taking steps to tighten passport vetting, enhance collaboration with security agencies, and redesign the national passport to prevent further abuse[10].


The pressure was intense: Liberia’s economy remains heavily dependent on remittances from its diaspora in the United States, and a travel ban would have threatened both family livelihoods and national trade[3]. The government’s response included promises to overhaul passport controls, improve information-sharing, and demonstrate a clear commitment to addressing US security concerns[10].


When President Trump’s executive order was finally announced this week, Liberia’s name was conspicuously absent from both the full and partial ban lists[1][7][8]. Instead, neighbouring Sierra Leone—also previously warned—was hit with partial visa restrictions, highlighting just how close Liberia came to being included[1]. The list of countries now facing a full ban includes Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen, while Sierra Leone and six others face partial restrictions[1][7][8][9][11][12].


The Trump administration insists that the bans are based on objective criteria: high visa overstay rates, poor vetting systems, and lack of cooperation on deportations or information-sharing[1][7][12]. Critics, however, argue that the process is opaque and vulnerable to political considerations, especially given the shifting lists and the administration’s willingness to add or remove countries based on “material improvements” or perceived threats[8][12].


For now, Liberians are breathing a collective sigh of relief, but the episode has exposed the country’s vulnerability to global policy shifts and the high stakes of maintaining robust security and governance standards. The government’s rapid response and diplomatic engagement were decisive in averting immediate sanctions, but the warning remains.[1][5][6][10].




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Additional Sources




Additional Sources


[2] Liberia: Trump Gives Boakai 60 Days Ultimatum - allAfrica.com https://allafrica.com/stories/202503170457.html

[4] U.S. to Slap Visa Restrictions On Liberia Over Governance and ... https://allafrica.com/stories/202503170222.html

[5] Liberia Among 21 Countries To Face US Travel Ban, If… https://inquirernewspaper.com/liberia-among-21-countries-to-face-us-travel-ban-if/

[6] Liberia: 'We're Not Talking This Lightly' - allAfrica.com https://allafrica.com/stories/202503180196.html

[7] What we know about Trump's latest travel ban https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx271g270v7o

[8] Trump's new travel ban: The notable countries omitted - amid anger over 'moral disgrace' https://news.sky.com/story/what-you-need-to-know-about-trumps-travel-ban-13379431

[11] Which countries are on Trump’s travel ban list, and who will be affected? https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/6/5/which-countries-are-on-trumps-travel-ban-list-and-who-will-be-affected

[15] Trump Imposes New Travel Ban on 12 Countries, Africa Tops List https://allafrica.com/view/group/main/main/id/00093002.html

[17] Trump issues a new travel ban. And, GOP raises concerns over the budget bill https://www.npr.org/2025/06/05/g-s1-70553/up-first-newsletter-trump-travel-ban-senate-budget-bill-elon-musk

[18] Why were these 12 countries on Trump's travel-ban list? - BBC https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz6329yvwdvo

[19] Full list of the 19 countries hit by Trump's newest travel ban https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/trump-travel-ban-countries-list-b2764074.html

[20] Congo, Chad, Eritrea, Sudan and Somalia hit by U.S. travel ban https://www.africanews.com/2025/06/05/congo-chad-eritrea-sudan-and-somalia-hit-by-us-travel-ban/


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