Opposition Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) Secretary General Jefferson T. Koijee has returned to national prominence following a new U.S. immigration policy that temporarily halts immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries, including Liberia. Koijee argues that the policy represents a troubling shift from targeted sanctions against individuals to a broad restriction affecting the entire Liberian population, with far-reaching social and economic consequences.

Koijee was personally sanctioned by the United States in 2023 over allegations of public corruption and actions deemed harmful to democratic institutions, claims he has consistently denied, describing them as politically motivated misinformation. Reacting to the visa pause, he asserted that Liberia is now facing a heavier burden under the Unity Party-led administration of President Joseph Boakai and Vice President Jeremiah Koung. According to Koijee, “Yesterday it was individuals who were sanctioned; today, the entire country carries the weight,” framing the policy as collective punishment rather than accountability.

The U.S. State Department explained that the visa processing pause targets countries whose migrants, based on U.S. data, heavily rely on public assistance, and will remain in effect until “adequate safeguards” are in place. Liberia’s inclusion has generated widespread concern due to its deep historical and socio-economic ties to the United States. Each year, thousands of Liberians pursue family reunification, employment-based visas, and diversity lottery opportunities, making the suspension particularly sensitive for ordinary citizens.

At the heart of Koijee’s argument is the contrast between targeted sanctions and broad immigration restrictions. He contends that CDC-era sanctions focused on specific officials accused of wrongdoing, limiting their travel and financial access without disrupting the lives of the wider population. By contrast, the current visa pause affects students, families, skilled workers, and others with no connection to governance or corruption, potentially disrupting remittance flows, education plans, and family structures vital to Liberia’s economy.

Koijee’s remarks have drawn mixed reactions. Supporters see his comments as a valid critique of policies that impose collective hardship, while critics argue he is deflecting from unresolved corruption allegations and conflating different U.S. policy tools. As Liberia awaits clarity on the duration and conditions of the visa suspension, the debate underscores broader national anxieties about collective impact, diplomatic engagement, and how policies aimed at states can reshape the aspirations of ordinary citizens.