The United States of America has maintained that its newly revised visa policy had nothing to do with Nigeria’s rejection of Venezuela deportees.
NATIONAL POST recalls that Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, had on Thursday, said the US government was mounting pressure on African countries to accept the deportees.
Tuggar, who appeared on Channels Television's Politics Today, said Nigeria may not be able to accept these prisoners.
However, in a statement on Friday, the US Mission in Nigeria said its reasons for cutting back on most nonimmigrant U.S. visas in the country had been misunderstood.
In the statement posted on its X account, the Mission clarified that the reduction in visa validity was not due to Nigeria’s position on third-country deportees, the adoption of e-visa policies, or its ties to organizations such as BRICS.
The U.S. Mission explained that the shortened validity period was part of a broader, ongoing worldwide review of how other countries utilize U.S. visas.
It stated that the review relies on technical and security standards designed to protect the integrity of U.S. immigration systems.
It stressed its dedication to collaborating with the Nigerian public and government officials to support them in meeting the required standards and benchmarks.
The statement read: “The U.S. Mission Nigeria wishes to address misconceptions about the recent reduction in visa validity for most nonimmigrant U.S. visas in Nigeria and other countries.
“This reduction is not the result of any nation’s stance on third-country deportees, introduction of e-visa policies, or affiliations with groups like BRICS.
“The reduction in validity is part of an ongoing global review of the use of U.S. visas by other countries using technical and security benchmarks to safeguard U.S. immigration systems.
“We value our longstanding partnership with Nigeria and remain committed to working closely with the Nigerian public and government officials to help them meet those criteria and benchmarks, thereby ensuring safe, lawful, and mutually beneficial travel between our nations.”