By Lawrence Williams
A joint task force comprising immigration, labour and security officials will begin a nationwide immigration crackdown, targeting foreign nationals living and working in the country without valid residence and work permits.
Starting June 1, the task force will conduct inspections at offices, businesses, and both private and public institutions to verify the documentation and non-national identity cards of foreign nationals residing and working in Sierra Leone.
According to a press release issued on Tuesday, all foreign nationals are required to make their documentation available for inspection upon request by immigration officers. Authorities warned that failure to comply could result in stiff penalties.
“All employers and foreign nationals are advised to ensure that all immigration and labour documents are valid, updated, and available for inspection at all times,” the release stated.
The government began strict enforcement of immigration laws in April following the expiration of a 90-day grace period granted to foreign nationals to regularise their status through the UnifiedPermit system — a digital platform that provides biometric permits for non-nationals.
While authorities have not disclosed the number of foreigners currently without valid legal status, the government says the operation is aimed at addressing widespread non-compliance with immigration and labour regulations.
“Failure to comply with these requirements may result in penalties or other legal action in line with the laws of Sierra Leone,” the release concluded.
