Liberia Immigration Service (LIS) Commissioner General Elijah F. Rufus has assured Liberians that the Service is undergoing reforms aimed at creating what he described as a “new immigration service” centered on accountability, professionalism, and improved service delivery.
Rufus made the statement Friday, October 2, 2026, at the close of a three-day capacity-building seminar for senior LIS officers held at the Gbarnga Regional Justice and Security Hub in Bong County.
“Please do not hesitate. Wherever we are going wrong, flag it up,” Rufus told Liberians, urging members of the public to report concerns about the conduct and operations of immigration officers.
He stressed that the immigration service has a responsibility to remain accountable because it is supported by public resources.
“It is your taxpayers’ money that we are using to support this institution. So we owe it to you,” Rufus said.
The Commissioner General thanked the people of Liberia, the Government of Liberia, and the Ministry of Justice for their continued support to the LIS.
The three-day seminar, held under the theme “Leading with Integrity: Strengthening Accountability, Professionalism, and the Fight Against Corruption,” brought together senior officers, including directors, sectional heads, regional commanders and county commanders from the country’s 15 subdivisions.
The training focused on strengthening leadership capacity, accountability, professional standards and the Service’s efforts to combat corruption.
The Commissioner General said the exercise was intended to strengthen the capacity of senior officers and deepen their understanding of effective leadership in contemporary security management.
He emphasized the importance of leading by example, urging senior officers to demonstrate integrity, professionalism and accountability in the performance of their duties.
Rufus also highlighted challenges confronting the LIS and encouraged participants to use the training as an opportunity to reflect on their responsibilities and identify practical measures to improve institutional performance.
As part of the initiative, LIS leadership presented uniforms, computers and other office equipment to county commanders.
The equipment is expected to strengthen administrative operations, reporting mechanisms and coordination among county-level immigration offices.
The LIS said the capacity-building exercise forms part of its broader efforts to build a more accountable, professional and effective institution as it carries out its immigration and national security responsibilities.
Participants praised the LIS leadership for organizing the training and committed themselves to applying the knowledge and skills gained during the seminar to their respective assignments.
Commissioner General Rufus, meanwhile, encouraged Liberians to continue providing feedback whenever they observe shortcomings within the Service, saying public input is important to the LIS’s efforts to improve its operations and strengthen public confidence.