The new policy on travel currently being discussed within the U.S. could affect Nigeria as well as 24 other African nations. These countries have been identified as potential candidates to be banned from visas, with a time limit of 60 days to get rid of the restrictions.
This alert is that these countries are unable to issue solid ID documents, and do not completely cooperate with U.S. immigration authorities, or have a large number of visa-overstayers.
The full list of items includes:
Nigeria, Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Sao Tome and Principe, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
These countries were analyzed to determine how they handle the identification system as well as civil records as well as immigration and compliance. Based on the study results, it appears that the U.S. is grouping them into three categories:
- Red: Full visa ban.
- Orange: Strong visa restrictions.
- Yellow Warning for a short period of time with a time limit to correct problems.
The aim for this program is to ensure that those who travel to in the U.S. have secure, verified background checks. Countries that do not improve their background could see their citizens lose the right for U.S. visas altogether.
This month in the month of April, earlier this month, the U.S. began enforcing a similar travel ban for 12 countries, and imposed restrictions on seven additional. Most of them were African or Muslim-majority countries.
Some critics of the new policy argue that it unfairly is a slam on Black or Muslim countries. They say it will harm international relations and affect families and students that rely on the ability to travel. However, those who support the plan think it will enhance security in the country and decrease fraud in the immigration system.
The governments of the countries mentioned are being pressured to submit action plans that outline how they can improve. If they do not take action, the ban could be imposed within two months.
The situation is in the process of developing and a lot of people are awaiting for the outcome.
