MONROVIA, Liberia – The Commissioner General of the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS), Elijah Rufus, has issued a strong warning to newly inducted officers, urging them to uphold discipline, integrity, and professionalism while rejecting all forms of corruption.
Addressing the new officers during their induction recently in Monrovia, the Commissioner General emphasized that serving in the Liberia Immigration Service is a privilege, not an entitlement.
He reminded the recruits that countless young Liberians aspire to join the institution and urged them to approach their responsibilities with the right mindset.
He cautioned the officers against using their positions for personal gain, particularly through extortion or the harassment of foreign investors and business people.
“If that is the mindset you are coming with—to come and extort, embarrass potential investors and business people—you will not even spend six months,” the Commissioner General warned.
He added that officers dismissed for misconduct would be publicly identified, a consequence he said could seriously damage their future employment prospects.
The Commissioner General also dismissed the belief that political influence or personal connections could protect officers from disciplinary action, stressing that accountability would apply equally to everyone.
Drawing from his own career, he encouraged the new officers to embrace hard work, humility, and integrity. He recalled beginning his journey in the service performing basic administrative duties, including typing letters and cleaning offices, before rising through the ranks to participate in high-level national security discussions.
He assured the recruits that those who demonstrate dedication, professionalism, and a genuine commitment to serving Liberia would receive the guidance and opportunities needed to advance their careers.
Acknowledging the realities of the profession, the LIS boss noted that officers should expect deployments to remote areas and understand that their starting salaries may not immediately meet their expectations.
However, he reminded them that every senior officer within the institution had faced similar challenges during the early stages of their careers.
Concluding his remarks, the Commissioner General encouraged the new officers to remain prayerful, committed, and grounded in strong moral values, regardless of their religious backgrounds.
“Come with courage,” he said, congratulating the officers and welcoming them to the important responsibility of protecting Liberia’s borders.