U.S. counters Nigeria's claims linking visa policy to BRICS, illegal migrant deportations
The United States denies allegations that reducing visa validity for Nigerian applicants is politically motivated.
Nigerian officials criticized the policy, linking it to external pressures like deportation agreements and geopolitical alignments.
The U.S. clarified that the changes are part of a global review to enhance visa system security, unrelated to BRICS affiliations or deportation issues.
The clarification follows growing accusations from the Nigerian government, which claimed the recent visa restrictions were a response to its refusal to accept undocumented migrants, particularly Venezuelans, from the United States.
Nigeria's Foreign Affairs Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, criticized the move, stating that the country is not in a position to manage external migration burdens at this time.
' It would be difficult for countries like Nigeria to accept Venezuelan prisoners into Nigeria. We have enough problems of our own; we cannot accept Venezuelan deportees to Nigeria. We already have 230 million people, ' Tuggar said.
Initially, the visa restriction, part of broader policy changes affecting several African nations, was widely speculated to be linked to their growing alignment with BRICS.
President Donald Trump had recently threatened tariff hikes on countries he accused of supporting BRICS in ways that could undermine U.S. trade policies.
Taken together, the visa restrictions and trade threats were seen by some analysts as part of a broader U.S. effort to push back against what Washington views as an emerging multipolar alliance, one that includes a rising Africa seeking to redefine its global role.
U.S. govt clarifies intent
In a statement issued via its official X page, the U.S. Mission clarified that the recent reduction in visa validity for Nigerian applicants is part of a broader, ongoing global review of how countries utilize U.S. visas.
' 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. ' the statement read.
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