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The United States government has announced a new visa restriction policy targeting individuals deemed responsible for attacks on Christians in Nigeria, signaling what it calls a firm stand against violations of religious freedom. In a statement released on Wednesday, the U.S. State Department said the measure authorizes the denial of visas to anyone who has “directed, authorised, supported, participated in, or carried out abuses targeting people based on faith.”
According to the statement, the policy is being implemented under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act, a provision that permits the State Department to restrict entry on grounds related to foreign policy or security concerns.
The U.S. government emphasized that the restrictions extend beyond perpetrators alone.
“Through the new policy, family members of affected persons are also subject to the restrictions,” the statement read.
It added:
“As President Trump made clear, the United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria and numerous other countries.”
Washington stressed that the visa action is not limited to Nigeria alone, but will apply “to any other governments or individuals engaged in violations of religious freedom.”
Reiterating the legal basis for the sanction, the statement noted:
“A new policy under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act will allow the State Department to restrict visa issuance to individuals who have directed, authorized, significantly supported, participated in, or carried out violations of religious freedom and, where appropriate, their immediate family members.”
