The State Division’s determination to restrict Nigerian vacationers to three-month, single-entry visas final week has sparked outrage amongst Nigerian Individuals and immigrant communities as they attempt to modify to this sudden coverage change.
The State Division’s motion is a part of the Trump administration’s plan to improve immigration controls to the USA, which features a full ban on journey from 12 international locations, primarily from Africa and the Center East. These new restrictions affect nonimmigrant and nondiplomatic vacationers, who beforehand might enter the U.S. a number of occasions for 5 years on every visa.
Rep. Jonathan Jackson, a Chicago-based congressman and member of the Home International Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, opposes the restrictions. The Democrat mentioned how the brand new restrictions will have an effect on Nigerian immigrants within the metropolis.
“Many have deep roots right here and equally deep ties to Nigeria — household, companies and investments,” Jackson mentioned. “After we make it more durable for them to journey forwards and backwards, to handle their affairs, and even simply to go to family members, we’re not simply impacting people, we’re weakening the very bonds that enrich each our nations,” Jackson instructed NBC Information.
Nigerian American Bobby Digi Olisa instructed the outlet he’s involved that the brand new restrictions, which include elevated charges, may forestall his household, who go to him in New York every year, from coming into the nation.
Visa candidates at the moment pay a $185 charge to enter the U.S. on vacationer, enterprise, scholar, or trade visas. Beginning Oct. 1, the federal government will add a $250 Visa Integrity Price, which is able to improve with inflation below the Massive Stunning Invoice Act.
The State Division cited “visa reciprocity” as the explanation for the coverage change. Nonetheless, Nigerian officers denied the claims that there’s a coverage imbalance between the 2 international locations.
“Opposite to misinformation and faux information circulating on-line, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has by no means stopped issuing 5-year multiple-entry visas for US residents, in accordance with the precept of subsisting bilateral agreements and reciprocity,” the Nigerian authorities mentioned in a press release.
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