Monrovia — A recent report has revealed alarming statistics regarding the overstay rates of Liberian nationals in the United States. According to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), nearly half of the Liberians issued B-1/B-2 nonimmigrant visas in Fiscal Year 2022 did not return to Liberia. Specifically, 49.48 percent of those visa holders overstayed their authorized period in the U.S. For Liberians holding nonimmigrant student visas, the situation is slightly better but still concerning, with 29.95 percent failing to return. Overall, the non-return rate across all visa categories for Liberians stands at a staggering 82.03 percent.
These figures were detailed in the “Fiscal Year 2022 Entry/Exit Overstay Report” prepared by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and was last updated on June 21, 2024. The report highlights overstay rates among nonimmigrant visitors to the United States. It provides a detailed breakdown of visa categories and countries of origin, including Liberia.
According to the report, in FY 2022, there were 572 expected departures of nonimmigrant visitors from Liberia who entered the U.S. through air and sea ports of entry. However, the overstay rate for Liberian nationals was a concerning 50.52 percent. This high overstay rate indicates that more than half of the Liberians who were supposed to depart the U.S. within the authorized period failed to do so.
Moreover, the report also indicates that 49.48 percent of Liberian visitors stayed in the United States beyond their authorized period without evidence of departure, extension, or status adjustment. This makes them suspected in-country overstays—a term used by the U.S. authorities to describe individuals who remain in the country without legal authorization.
The implications of these findings could be significant for future Liberian travelers. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security may implement stricter scrutiny for Liberian nationals seeking to enter the United States.
Accordingly, this could explain why Liberia ranks 4th on the U.S. Department of State’s list of nations with the highest visa rejection rates for the 2023/2024 period, with a rejection rate of 78.19 percent.
For many Liberians, the allure of opportunities in the United States remains strong. However, with increased scrutiny from U.S. immigration authorities, the path to achieving the American Dream could become even more challenging for those who aspire to make a life in the United States.
Liberia, often referred to as America’s traditional ally in Africa, has had a long-standing relationship with the United States. Diplomatic relations between the two nations were established in 1864, 17 years after Liberia declared its independence from the American Colonization Society (ACS), an organization that resettled free African Americans and freed slaves in Liberia.
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