The United States Department of State announced sweeping new visa restrictions on Wednesday, targeting individuals globally who are found to have directed, authorized, or supported violations of religious freedom.
The policy specifically highlighted “egregious anti-Christian violence in Nigeria” as a catalyst for the decisive action.
The new measure, implemented under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, grants the State Department authority to restrict visa issuance to those who have participated in or significantly supported religious freedom abuses. Importantly, the ban may also be applied to the immediate family members of the targeted individuals.
In a statement titled ‘Combating Egregious Anti-Christian Violence in Nigeria and Globally,’ the State Department explicitly named groups involved in the violence, including “radical Islamic terrorists, Fulani ethnic militias and other violent actors.”
The new policy states: “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, authorised, significantly supported, participated in, or carried out violations of religious freedom and, where appropriate, their immediate family members.”
The move reflects the administration’s stated commitment to religious liberty around the world.
The policy is designed to apply universally, affecting governments or individuals in any country engaged in such violations, with the State Department noting, “As President Trump made clear, the ‘United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria, and numerous other countries.’
‘This policy will apply to Nigeria and any other governments or individuals engaged in violations of religious freedom.”
The immediate impact of the policy is expected to be felt by those connected to the persistent conflicts and mass killings targeting religious groups in West Africa and other global hotspots.
