US B1 and B2 visa sanctions imposed on Sierra Leone have been partially lifted, the US government has announced. 71st US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, confirmed the move in recognition of Sierra Leone’s increased assistance in accepting back nationals subject to removal from the United States.
The sanctions were imposed by former US President, Donald Trump, in 2017. At the time, Trump accused Sierra Leone’s government of refusing or ‘unreasonably’ delaying the return of citizens, subjects, nationals or residents set to be deported from the US.
The issue became heated in September 2020, when the US announced that its ban on B1 and B2 visa access for Sierra Leone would be extended. Sierra Leone’s government protested against the extension, claiming that it had been ‘co-operating with the US’ over accepting back its people deported from the US.