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The United States government is set to significantly reduce the number of its embassies and consulates in Africa that process visa applications, a move that could impact Sierra Leoneans and other West Africans seeking to travel to the US.
According to a report by the Associated Press on Monday, citing three US officials and an internal memo, the number of diplomatic missions on the continent handling visas will be cut from 50 to just 20 in the coming weeks.
The decision, reported by Reuters, aligns with the long-standing immigration and border policy agenda of US President Donald Trump. During his first term in office, President Trump was reported to have made disparaging remarks about immigrants from Africa and Haiti, allegedly referring to their home countries as “shithole” nations.
The reduction means that citizens from many African nations, including Sierra Leone, may be forced to travel much farther to access US visa services. Currently, Sierra Leoneans typically apply for US visas at the embassy in Freetown. It remains unclear whether the local US embassy will be among those retaining or losing visa processing authority.
No official statement has yet been released by the US State Department or the US Embassy in Freetown regarding how this policy change will specifically affect Sierra Leonean applicants.
The development is expected to create longer wait times, increased travel costs, and logistical challenges for Sierra Leoneans seeking student, business, or tourist visas to the United States.
