Agency report
The United States has said it is rolling out a new visa-restriction policy targeting visa restrictions for Nigerians accused of orchestrating religious violence against Christians in the West African nation and around the world.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Wednesday that a new policy in the Immigration and Nationality Act will allow the State Department to deny visas to those “who have directed, authorized, significantly supported, participated in, or carried out violations of religious freedom.” Immediate family members may also face visa restrictions in some cases.
“The United States is taking decisive action in response to the mass killings and violence against Christians by radical Islamic terrorists, Fulani ethnic militias, and other violent actors in Nigeria and beyond,” Rubio said in the statement.
Rubio’s comments come a day after US lawmakers convened a roundtable in Washington with religious freedom and foreign relations experts to discuss Nigeria’s escalating violence and the “targeted persecution” of Christians.
The congress roundtable was part of investigations into the matter on President Donald Trump’s directive.
Last month, Chris Smith, house foreign affairs Africa subcommittee chairman, introduced a resolution recommending visa bans and asset freezes on individuals and entities responsible for severe violations of religious freedom in Nigeria.
Smith was part of Tuesday’s roundtable. His resolution named the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) and the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore as erring entities.
Smith also recommended that the US place “Fulani-Ethnic Militias” operating in Benue and Plateau on the entities of particular concern (EPC) list under the International Religious Freedom Act.
In response, MACBAN urged congress to withdraw its visa ban recommendation, saying the resolution blurred critical distinctions between criminal gangs, which operate independently, and law-abiding pastoralists who are also victims of Nigeria’s deteriorating security landscape.
During Tuesday’s discussions, Smith accused the Nigerian government of complicity in the “religious persecution”.
