The Liberia Refugee Repatriation and Resettlement Commission (LRRRC), in partnership with the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS), has officially launched a biometric registration initiative aimed at issuing resident permits to 269 integrated former Ivorian refugees.
The move is a direct implementation of Executive Order 144, signed by President Joseph Boakai on February 24, reaffirming Liberia’s commitment to refugee protection and long-term integration of displaced persons.
According to an official release from the LRRRC, the registration exercise kicked off with a welcoming ceremony attended by Joseph Cooper, Deputy Executive Director for Operations at the LRRRC, and Elijah Rufus, Commissioner General of the Liberia Immigration Service.
The biometric enrollment process is being conducted across four counties Montserrado, Nimba, Grand Gedeh, and Maryland covering all eligible former Ivorian refugees who have been locally integrated into Liberian communities.
The issuance of these resident permits represents a significant milestone in Liberia’s humanitarian efforts. Once granted, the permits will provide beneficiaries with access to essential public services, including education, healthcare, and housing rights that are typically reserved for citizens and legal residents.
Beyond registration, the LRRRC also announced plans to work closely with the National Identification Registry (NIR) to enroll the former refugees in Liberia’s national ID system.
This integration is expected to further streamline their access to public resources and promote long-term social and economic stability.
“This is not just about documentation, it’s about dignity. The issuance of these resident permits is not just a legal formality; it’s a powerful statement of Liberia’s inclusive approach to refugee integration. We are ensuring that these individuals, many of whom have lived in Liberia for years, are afforded the dignity and support they deserve,” Commissioner Elijah Rufus said.
The initiative has been widely lauded as part of President Boakai’s broader human rights and inclusion agenda, which emphasizes regional solidarity and Liberia’s role as a welcoming refuge for displaced populations in West Africa. With this latest development, Liberia continues to set a precedent in the region for progressive and humane refugee policies, offering a blueprint for integration that balances legal recognition with access to vital services and pathways to belonging.