The U.S. embassy in Nigeria says it will escalate visa application documents it finds forged or misleading.
“When consular officers detect fraudulent documents in a visa application or uncover information suggesting an individual may be a potential threat, we immediately alert all appropriate U.S. government agencies.
“We are coordinating to protect national security and keep criminals and bad actors out,” the embassy warned on Monday in its #VisaWiseTravelSmart campaign.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump’s administration has disclosed plans to revoke the visas of nearly 200,000 foreigners who entered the U.S. on business (B-1) and tourism (B-2) visas but later sought asylum, a move that, if implemented, would mark the largest single visa revocation.
State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said in a statement on Monday that the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are working to review B-1 and B-2 visas from 2016 to 2026.
Although Mr Pigott did not state the exact number of visas to be revoked, saying it ‘remains dynamic’, the Associated Press reported that up to 200,000 visas would be revoked, citing officials.
“We are coordinating with DHS to identify and revoke the nonimmigrant visas of foreigners who have come to the United States, claiming to be short-term visitors, but then file for asylum to stay here permanently,” Mr Pigott said. “These types of visas are issued with the clear understanding that they are for those who intend to return home.”