Freetown, Sierra Leone – Amid escalating tensions over U.S. visa restrictions, Sierra Leone’s Foreign Affairs Minister Timothy Kabba has spotlighted the situation of 52 nationals currently detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), all facing potential deportation back to their homeland.
In a recent interview, Kabba emphasized the government’s commitment to these individuals, stating, “They belong to us, really.”
He revealed that Sierra Leone is actively collaborating with the U.S. State Department to facilitate their return, including verifying identities and issuing emergency travel certificates. “I do have the data… as it is right now, we got about 52 people in the custody of ICE,” Kabba explained. “We work with the State Department to process the emergency travel certificates for them to come back home.”
The minister highlighted recent progress in these efforts, noting that just a day prior, officials had successfully verified four detainees, clearing them for repatriation.
This push comes as Sierra Leone seeks to demonstrate improved cooperation on immigration matters, a key factor in past U.S. sanctions imposed in 2017 and 2020 for perceived delays in accepting deportees.
The detainees’ predicament underscores broader diplomatic challenges. The U.S. recently enacted a full visa ban on Sierra Leone, citing ongoing issues with repatriation compliance. Families of those held in ICE facilities have expressed growing concern over prolonged detentions, which can involve harsh conditions and uncertainty.
While specific details on the individuals, such as reasons for their initial U.S. entry or grounds for deportation, remain limited, Kabba’s update signals Freetown’s intent to resolve these cases swiftly to ease familial hardships and strengthen bilateral ties.
This development occurs against a backdrop of negotiations where the U.S. has proposed that Sierra Leone accept third-country nationals to lift the visa curbs, though Kabba indicated any such acceptance would be restricted to West Africans under existing refugee frameworks.
As of now, the focus remains on bringing the 52 home, with officials urging patience while processes unfold.
