by Bobby Addison
The Liberia Immigration Service (LIS) has issued a stern warning to the general public and foreign residents against conspiring with immigration officers to illegally acquire resident permits and other official documents.
The LIS leadership revealed that ongoing internal investigations have uncovered a scheme involving “compromised officers” who have been issuing fraudulent permits. These unauthorized documents have granted illegal residency status to several foreign nationals within the country.
Digital Process is Mandatory
The Immigration Service emphasized that the acquisition of resident permits is now strictly a digital, online process. All required fees must be paid directly into government-designated accounts. According to an official LIS release, any deviation from this established protocol is considered a criminal offense.
The LIS assured the public that once investigations conclude, those found culpable will face the full weight of the law in accordance with the statutes of the Republic of Liberia.
SJN Defends LIS Leadership Against “Misleading” Reports
In a related development, the Security Journalist Network (SJN) has condemned what it described as “unprofessional and misleading” reporting by an emerging media platform, Rescue TV/GAR.
Bobby Addison, head of the SJN, accused the outlet of publishing unverified information on January 23, 2026. Addison asserted that the reports were designed to damage the integrity of the LIS leadership, specifically Commissioner General Col. Elijah Rufus.
“Rescue TV failed to conduct due diligence before publishing allegations on its Facebook platform against Commissioner General Rufus and other top officials,” Addison stated.
He clarified that while certain officers are indeed under investigation for issuing fake permits, the allegations against the top brass remain unsubstantiated.
Commitment to Reform
The Liberia Immigration Service reiterated its commitment to integrity, accountability, and transparency. The agency stressed that under the leadership of Commissioner General Elijah Rufus, Liberia is moving toward a more credible and professional immigration system that serves the national interest.