By Emmanuel Kamanda
MONROVIA – Remarks attributed to U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent suggesting that individuals receiving public assistance would no longer be allowed to wire money outside the United States have sparked concern among immigrant communities, including Liberians living in America.
“If you are on public assistance, you can no longer wire money out of the country,” Bessent reportedly stated.
The reported policy shift has generated questions about its potential impact on remittances sent to Liberia, where many families rely on financial support from relatives abroad.
Adding to the discussion is a list reportedly published by U.S. President Donald Trump in January 2026 indicating that 48.9 percent of Liberian immigrant households in the United States receive some form of public assistance.
If implemented, observers say such a measure could affect the ability of some Liberian families in the United States to send money home, potentially impacting relatives who depend on remittances for education, healthcare, and daily living expenses.
However, details regarding the scope, enforcement, and legal framework of the reported restriction remain unclear.
The development is expected to attract close attention from Liberians both in the United States and back home as more information emerges.
