New US Visa Policy Bans Sponsors of Alleged Christian Genocide in Nigeria
The United States government has introduced a new visa restriction policy targeting individuals involved in undermining religious freedom, with a specific focus on actions linked to the persecution of Christians in Nigeria.
Announced by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a post on X on Wednesday, the policy authorizes visa restrictions for individuals—including government and non-state actors—who direct, authorize, finance, or participate in violations of religious freedom.
“The United States is taking decisive action in response to the atrocities and violence against Christians in Nigeria and around the world,” Rubio stated. “The @StateDept will restrict U.S. visas for those who knowingly direct, authorize, fund, support, or carry out violations of religious freedom. This visa policy applies to Nigeria and other governments or individuals that persecute people for their religious beliefs.”
A subsequent statement on the U.S. Department of State website detailed that the measure is enacted under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. It enables visa restrictions for those engaged in religious freedom violations, and may extend to their immediate family members where appropriate.
The announcement follows repeated statements by U.S. President Donald Trump, who has condemned what he describes as escalating violence against Christians in Nigeria.
In a recent post on his Truth Social platform, Trump accused the Nigerian government of turning a blind eye to the killings and warned of potential consequences.
“If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and may very well go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing,’ to completely wipe out the Islamic Terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities,” he wrote.
Trump added that he had instructed the U.S. Department of War to prepare for possible action, stating, “If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our CHERISHED Christians! WARNING: THE NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT BETTER MOVE FAST!”
The new visa policy signals a hardening U.S. stance on religious violence in Nigeria and reflects increasing diplomatic pressure on the Nigerian government to address security concerns affecting Christian communities.
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