A growing number of Sierra Leonean citizens have expressed deep frustration over what they describe as the deliberate denial of their right to access passports, despite having made full payments to the Immigration Department.

For over a week now, individuals seeking travel documents have reported that after paying the required fees, they are consistently turned away without completing the passport process.

According to several complainants, the Immigration Department continues to collect money from applicants, only to instruct them to “return later” due to a reported suspension in biometric photo capturing. Sources within the department revealed that this suspension was ordered by the newly appointed Chief Immigration Officer, though no official statement has been released to clarify the situation or provide timelines for resolution.

Every day, scores of hopeful applicants—many with urgent travel or business plans—gather at the department’s headquarters, only to return home disappointed and emotionally drained.

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“I paid last week Monday, and since then, I’ve been going to immigration daily. They keep telling me they are not taking pictures because of an order from management,” lamented Mariatu Jalloh, a trader who says her goods are now stuck at a port in Guinea due to her lack of travel documents. “They are wasting our time and killing our businesses.”

Another citizen, Abdul Sesay, shared his ordeal: “I am supposed to travel for a scholarship interview in Ghana. I submitted my documents and payment, but they keep postponing me. How do they expect the youth to progress when the system is designed to frustrate us?”

The halt in operations has led to significant disruptions in the personal and professional lives of many. From missed medical appointments abroad to stalled employment opportunities and disrupted academic pursuits, the effects have been far-reaching.

“This isn’t just inefficiency; it’s oppression,” said Isatu Koroma, who had plans to travel for a medical operation in Dakar. “We paid our money. Why are they refusing to complete the process? Why collect money if they know they won’t take our pictures or process the passports?”

Citizens are now calling on the Chief Immigration Officer and the Government of Sierra Leone to immediately address the situation, restore normal services, and ensure accountability for those who have already paid.

“This is not only administrative negligence; it is a violation of our rights,” said lawyer a and civil rights advocate. “People are being held hostage in their own country simply because someone decided to suspend a process without proper communication or transparency.”

The lack of a clear explanation from the Immigration Department has fueled public suspicion and anger, with some alleging that the halt is part of a corrupt practice meant to exploit applicants.

In the absence of timely communication from officials, social media has become an outlet for aggrieved citizens to vent their frustration and organize calls for action.

The government is yet to respond publicly to the growing concerns. However, the patience of the public is wearing thin, and pressure is mounting on the administration to intervene and resolve the crisis before it escalates further.