Nigeria is among 36 nations, predominantly from Africa, listed in a U.S. government memo outlining countries that could soon face new travel restrictions under a proposed expansion of America’s visa policy.
According to a Washington Post report, the classified memo, signed by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, reveals a push by former President Donald Trump to broaden the scope of his controversial travel ban policy. This development comes amid Trump’s renewed presidential campaign and his administration-in-waiting’s hardline stance on immigration.
The memo indicates that unless these countries meet updated requirements from the U.S. State Department, they risk being subjected to strict visa limitations or outright travel bans.
African nations dominate the list, with Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia, Cameroon, Senegal, and Côte d’Ivoire among the prominent countries potentially affected. Others include Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Gabon, Gambia, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, São Tomé and Príncipe, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
The proposed measures have sparked concerns in diplomatic circles, with analysts warning of the possible economic, social, and geopolitical consequences if the ban is implemented.
While U.S. officials have yet to comment publicly on the memo’s specifics, the development signals a possible return to Trump-era immigration policies should he reclaim the presidency in the upcoming election.
