Published: March 18, 2025
MONROVIA – Liberia’s Foreign Minister, Madam Sara Beysolow Nyanti, has clarified that the government has not received any formal communication from the U.S. government regarding a so-called “yellow list,” which allegedly imposes partial visa restrictions on Liberia and 21 other nations.
Minister Beysolow Nyanti’s statement comes in response to a recent New York Times report claiming the Trump administration had given Liberia a 60-day ultimatum to address concerns related to passport issuance and internal security.
Seeking Clarification
Reacting to the report, Minister Beysolow Nyanti disclosed that Liberia has taken diplomatic steps by issuing a demarche—a formal diplomatic note—to the U.S. government. The move seeks to clarify the authenticity of the alleged listing and to advocate against Liberia’s inclusion if such a measure exists.
“When we heard about the report, we issued a demarche to the U.S. government, officially acknowledging the New York Times article and requesting clarification. If the list does exist, we have made it clear why Liberia should not be included,” the minister stated.
Strengthening Passport Security
Testifying before the Senate Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs, Security, Defense, Intelligence & Veteran Affairs on Monday, March 17, 2025, Minister Beysolow Nyanti detailed efforts to bolster Liberia’s passport and immigration systems.
She highlighted that, upon assuming office in February 2024, she engaged with U.S. authorities to enhance controls over diplomatic and privileged passports. These discussions were formalized in a request for U.S. assistance in strengthening Liberia’s passport security.
By November 2024, the government had established an Investigative Panel comprising the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS), Liberia National Police (LNP), National Security Agency (NSA), and the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The panel uncovered 15 cases of passport fraud and impersonation, which were referred to the DSS and police. Additionally, a security audit of the passport issuance process led to revised visa procedures and increased personnel to tighten oversight.
Addressing Public Concerns
Minister Beysolow Nyanti cautioned the public against relying on unverified reports, stressing the importance of verifying information before drawing conclusions.
“I want to emphasize that if this list exists, we must first confirm its authenticity. We’ve seen similar claims about mass deportations that later proved false,” she said.
She recalled leading a Liberian delegation to Washington, D.C., in July 2024, where discussions with U.S. State Department officials and Trump administration representatives revealed no indication of an impending mass deportation of Liberians residing in the U.S.
Despite this, she reassured the public that the government remains proactive in engaging with U.S. officials to safeguard Liberia’s interests.
Meanwhile, Gbarpolu County Senator Amara Konneh acknowledged the minister’s response but urged caution, stating that Liberia should not underestimate policy shifts under U.S. President Donald Trump.
“When it comes to Trump’s policies, we cannot take anything lightly,” he warned.
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