US Congress seeks to nullify visa ban on Nigeria, others

* Visa ban outrageous, discriminatory ─Speaker Pelosi

* Buhari sets up committee to review situation

Alexander Davis

Against the backdrop of the United States (US) President Donald Trump’s recent travel ban on Nigeria and five other countries, the US House of Representatives is set to nullify the restriction of immigrant visa against Nigerians and foreign nationals.

ConsumerConnect recalls that President Trump has imposed a fresh travel ban restricting immigration from Nigeria and five other countries to expand his administration’s policy blocking travel from certain nations.

In respect of the latest policy, reports say citizens from Nigeria, Eritrea, Myanmar, and Kyrgyzstan would not be allowed to apply for visas to immigrate to the US.

According to the US Government, the fresh policy was designed “to tighten security” for countries that don’t comply with the US minimum security standards, or cooperate to prevent illegal immigration.

The Wall Street Journal reports that in line with the policy, two other countries, Sudan and Tanzania, will be barred from participating in the Diversity Visa Lottery, which randomly awards green cards to 50,000 immigrants from underrepresented countries annually.

US officials say the new restrictions are set to take effect on February 21, and will apply only to new visa applications.

However, immigrants who issued valid US visas before the target date will still be able to move to the United States.

Nancy Pelosi, Speaker, US House of Representatives, Saturday, February 1 said the new policy smacked of discrimination and undermined the US global leadership, constitution and heritage.

The US House, according to Pelosi, would soon establish a “no ban act” against the immigrant visa ban on Nigerians, a policy which also targets other countries’ nationals.

Reports say that Pelosi, in a statement, said: “The Trump Administration’s expansion of its outrageous, unAmerican travel ban threatens our security, our values and the rule of law.

“The sweeping rule, barring more than 350 million individuals from predominantly African nations from travelling to the United States, is discrimination disguised as policy.

“America’s strength has always been as a beacon of hope and opportunity for people around the world, whose dreams and aspirations have enriched our nation and made America more American,” the Speaker noted.

Kindly Share This Story