Economic Migration

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Happy Thanksgiving from POTUS

Following the shooting of two West Virginia National Guard members, President Trump, today, has ordered the federal agency responsible for managing legal immigration to the United States to conduct a comprehensive review of green card holders from what the administration describes as “countries of concern,” according to the head of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

When asked which nations fall under this category, USCIS referred to a presidential proclamation issued in June that lists 19 countries deemed deficient in screening and vetting procedures.

Proclamations |

June 4, 2025

Presidential Action

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Prospects are unfortunately unfavorable for Sierra Leone, since it appears on the list.

(i) According to the Overstay Report, Sierra Leone had a B-1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 15.43 percent and an F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 35.83 percent. Sierra Leone has historically failed to accept back its removable nationals.

(ii) The entry into the United States of nationals of Sierra Leone as immigrants, and as nonimmigrants on B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas is hereby suspended.

(iii) Consular officers shall reduce the validity for any other nonimmigrant visa issued to nationals of Sierra Leone to the extent permitted by law.

The key concern for many Sierra Leoneans is: What constructive measures is the ambassador taking to address the growing negative narratives about Sierra Leone, and what comprehensive strategies does the government have in place to respond to these perceptions? In this context, how is the embassy team engaging partners, stakeholders, and the wider public to promote a more balanced and positive image of the country, beyond routine participation in political events and fundraisers?

Following the Thanksgiving message from the President of the United States, Chris-Vincent Agyapong wrote:

Economic Migration

As an immigration lawyer, I have a front-row seat to a global paradigm shift. The United Kingdom's recent punitive immigration proposal was a warning shot.

Now, the United States has announced even more draconian measures, with Donald Trump explicitly targeting migration from what he terms "third-world countries."

This is not a coincidence; it is a clear signal that the West is fundamentally re-evaluating its relationship with economic migrants, particularly those perceived as a potential burden on public funds.

The political rhetoric confirms this shift. The justification for these harsh policies was laid bare in a post Trump as:

“A very Happy Thanksgiving salutation to all of our Great American Citizens and Patriots who have been so nice in allowing our Country to be divided, disrupted, carved up, murdered, beaten, mugged, and laughed at, along with certain other foolish countries throughout the World, for being ‘Politically Correct,’ and just plain STUPID, when it comes to Immigration. The official United States Foreign population stands at 53 million people (Census), most of which are on welfare, from failed nations, or from prisons, mental institutions, gangs, or drug cartels. They and their children are supported through massive payments from Patriotic American Citizens who, because of their beautiful hearts, do not want to openly complain or cause trouble in any way, shape, or form. They put up with what has happened to our Country, but it’s eating them alive to do so!

A migrant earning $30,000 with a green card will get roughly $50,000 in yearly benefits for their family. The real migrant population is much higher. This refugee burden is the leading cause of social dysfunction in America, something that did not exist after World War II (Failed schools, high crime, urban decay, overcrowded hospitals, housing shortages, and large deficits, etc.). As an example, hundreds of thousands of refugees from Somalia are completely taking over the once great State of Minnesota. Somalian gangs are roving the streets looking for “prey” as our wonderful people stay locked in their apartments and houses, hoping against hope that they will be left alone. The seriously retarded Governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz, does nothing, either through fear, incompetence, or both, while the worst “Congressman/woman” in our Country, Ilhan Omar, always wrapped in her swaddling hijab, and who probably came into the U.S.A. illegally in that you are not allowed to marry your brother, does nothing but hatefully complain about our Country, its Constitution, and how “badly” she is treated, when her place of origin is a decadent, backward, and crime ridden nation, which is essentially not even a country for lack of Government, Military, Police, schools, etc.

Even as we have progressed technologically, Immigration Policy has eroded those gains and living conditions for many. I will permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries to allow the U.S. system to fully recover, terminate all of the millions of Biden illegal admissions, including those signed by Sleepy Joe Biden’s Autopen, and remove anyone who is not a net asset to the United States, or is incapable of loving our Country, end all Federal benefits and subsidies to noncitizens of our Country, denaturalize migrants who undermine domestic tranquility, and deport any Foreign National who is a public charge, security risk, or non-compatible with Western Civilization. These goals will be pursued to achieve a major reduction in illegal and disruptive populations, including those admitted through an unauthorized and illegal Autopen approval process. Only REVERSE MIGRATION can fully cure this situation. Other than that, HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL, except those that hate, steal, murder, and destroy everything that America stands for — You won’t be here for long!”

While this rhetoric is extreme and contains inflammatory positions, it resonates because it preys on real instances of system abuse. In my practice, I see this dichotomy daily. There are immense numbers of immigrants who work tirelessly and contribute economically through taxes. Yet, some validate the worst stereotypes.

I recall a colleague recounting how a client, after overstaying in the UK for six years, was granted her first 2.5 years of leave to remain. Her first question was not about how to get a National Insurance number to start working or how to enroll in a course to improve her skills. It was: "Lawyer, now that I have this, how do I remove the 'no recourse to public funds' so I can get social housing?" Her primary goal was immediate access to welfare, not self-sufficiency.

This mindset, however prevalent, is a luxury we can no longer afford. The West is tired, and the doors are closing. The only viable, long-term solution is for us to turn our energies inward. We must develop our countries, and it is imperative that more Africans consciously consider returning to contribute to this mission. We must make our nations great and prosperous in their own right.

If we do not start this urgent work now, it may be too late. The world is sending us a message, and it is one we must finally heed: our future cannot be built in their countries if we are not simultaneously building our own.

—Chris-Vincent Agyapong

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“UPDATE: December 2, 2025 | Policy Memorandum | PM-602-0192”

— Source: US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

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SUBJECT: Hold and Review of all Pending Asylum Applications and all USCIS Benefit Applications Filed by Aliens from High-Risk Countries