Monrovia, Liberia — January 15, 2026 — Information Minister Jerolinmek Matthew Piah has sought to calm public concern following Liberia’s inclusion on a U.S. visa suspension list, stressing that the measure should not be interpreted as a prelude to sweeping sanctions against the Liberian government.
Addressing journalists during the Ministry of Information’s regular press briefing on Thursday, Minister Piah said the Unity Party–led administration does not foresee a return to the targeted U.S. sanctions regime that characterized the tenure of former President George Weah. He emphasized that previous sanctions were imposed on specific individuals accused of wrongdoing and did not constitute punitive action against the Liberian state itself.
The Minister’s comments came in response to a report broadcast by Fox News on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, which disclosed that the United States has temporarily suspended visa issuance for nationals of several countries, Liberia included.
According to the report, a memorandum from the U.S. State Department directs consular officers to deny visa applications under existing legal authorities while a comprehensive review of immigrant visa processing is undertaken. The reassessment forms part of a broader U.S. initiative aimed at strengthening visa screening and vetting procedures.
The list of affected countries reportedly includes Somalia, Russia, Afghanistan, Brazil, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Liberia, Nigeria, Thailand, and Yemen, among others.
The visa suspension is expected to take effect on January 21 and will remain in place indefinitely, pending the conclusion of the review process.
Liberia’s appearance on the list has sparked surprise and debate, as the country has not traditionally featured in comparable U.S. visa restriction measures, raising questions about the underlying criteria and potential diplomatic implications of the decision.
