The United States government has announced new immigration restrictions on nationals from Sierra Leone and six other countries, citing national security concerns and high visa overstay rates.
The restrictions, which form part of a presidential proclamation signed by U.S. President Donald J. Trump, are set to take effect from 12:01 am (EDT) on June 9, 2025.In the proclamation titled “Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats,” President Trump states that the entry of certain classes of immigrants and nonimmigrants from Sierra Leone will be partially suspended due to the country’s deficiencies in identity management, information sharing, and the refusal to accept back its removable nationals.
According to U.S. government data cited in the proclamation, Sierra Leone has a B-1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 15.43% and an F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 35.83%.
These figures far exceed what is deemed acceptable by U.S. immigration standards.> “Sierra Leone has historically failed to accept back its removable nationals,” the document noted, adding that such inadequacies pose a significant threat to U.S. national security and public safety.
Key Implications of the New Ban:Suspension of immigrant visa issuance to nationals of Sierra Leone.Suspension of nonimmigrant visas under categories B-1 (business), B-2 (tourism), B-1/B-2 (combined), F (student), M (vocational student), and J (exchange visitor).Reduction of visa validity for other nonimmigrant categories, as determined by U.S. consular officers.
Exemptions apply to individuals granted asylum, refugees already admitted, and those protected under international human rights frameworks such as the Convention Against Torture.Sierra Leone is one of seven countries subject to partial entry restrictions, alongside Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.
An additional 12 countries — including Afghanistan, Iran, Libya, and Somalia — face full entry suspensions under the same proclamation.
The Trump administration argues that the move is aimed at compelling governments to enhance their information-sharing protocols, identity management systems, and cooperation on repatriation of deportable citizens.> “Until countries with identified inadequacies address them, conditional restrictions and limitations must be imposed,” President Trump stated.
While the proclamation acknowledges that some countries have made improvements in their protocols, it states that the United States must take a country-specific approach to mitigate risks posed by foreign nationals seeking entry.
