The U.S. Embassy in Nigeria has responded to concerns over recent visa revocations in Nigeria, explaining that the recent developments are part of policies to protect American citizens.
The U.S. Embassy said that the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has put in place a rigorous vetting of over 55 million foreigners holding valid U.S. visas.
In a release issued to the press, the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria said that the heightened vetting process, which includes continuous scrutiny of visa holders’ records, is designed to identify any potential ineligibility under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
The embassy also explained that the policy is not targeted at Nigerians alone but is a global effort to ensure national security and public safety.
The statement reads: “The Trump Administration is protecting our nation and our citizens by upholding the highest standards of national security and public safety through our visa process.
“Prohibiting entry to the United States by those who might pose a threat to US national security or public safety is key to protecting US citizens at home. Every prospective traveler to the United States undergoes interagency security vetting. The Department’s continuous vetting includes all of the more than 55 million foreigners who currently hold valid U.S. visas.
“Under the Trump Administration, the State Department is revoking the visa in cases where a foreign visitor – including foreign students – overstays their lawful period of admission, engages in criminal activity, provides material support to a terrorist organisation, or otherwise violates US law.
“This work is based squarely on the Department’s authorities under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) – tools that have existed for decades. Section 221(i) gives the Secretary and Consular Officers discretion to revoke visas at any time, and we use this authority to take action when there is an indication of a potential ineligibility under the INA.
“While we have had this revocation authority for decades, we are using all the information we have to do this on a scale never seen before, to keep American borders secure and American communities safe.”
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that there have been concerns that reports have emerged revealing that the U.S. is implementing visa revocations in Nigeria.
The concerns escalated after a former spokesman of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) Olufemi Soneye, raised an alarm.
Soneye described the trend as ‘unsettling’ explaining that it had gone beyond rumour or speculation, as dozens of affected Nigerians, professionals, entrepreneurs, and frequent travellers have received formal letters instructing them to submit their passports at the consulate in Lagos or Abuja, only to have their visas unceremoniously canceled.
“What makes this development even more alarming is the veil of silence surrounding it. I have personally reviewed at least eight such cancellation letters. The notices cite Title 22, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 41.122 as the legal basis, vaguely stating that ‘new information became available after the visa was issued’.
“Beyond that, nothing is explained. No evidence is shared. No avenue for appeal is offered. Recipients are merely advised to reapply if they wish, an instruction that provides no comfort to those suddenly stripped of their mobility,” Soneye wrote.
