US begins visa ban on religious freedom violators in Nigeria

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The United States government has begun enforcing visa restrictions on individuals accused of violating religious freedom in Nigeria.

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Mark Walker, US Principal Adviser for Global Religious Freedom, disclosed this in a post on X on Friday, saying the policy has already been implemented, although he did not name the affected individuals or entities.

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He said, “We have already executed on this policy, and we will continue to subject perpetrators to additional scrutiny.

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“If you engage in persecution, you are not welcome in America. The United States is safer when we keep those responsible for religious persecution from entering our homeland,” Walker said.

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The visa restriction policy was announced in December by US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, targeting those who knowingly direct, authorise, fund, support, or carry out violations of religious freedom.

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According to the secretary of state, the move was part of the US’ decisive action in response to the “atrocities and violence against Christians” in Nigeria and around the world.

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The announcement came a month after Chris Smith, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Africa subcommittee, introduced a resolution recommending visa bans and asset freezes on individuals and entities responsible for severe violations of religious freedom in Nigeria.

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Smith’s resolution named the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria and the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore as erring entities.

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In February, US lawmakers also proposed sanctions against Rabiu Kwankwaso, labelling him as complicit in violations of religious freedom.

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