U.S suspends visa services in Niger

The U.S has halted all visa processing services in Niger, expressing concerns around their government as a justification.

As Africanews via Reuters reported, an internal cable, as of July 25th, instructed US consular officers worldwide to impose stricter oversight on all visa applicants from Niger. The cable apparently highlighted high overstay rates from the country, specifically 8% from visitor visas and 27% from student and exchange visas.

A state department spokesperson stated the pause of all immigrant and non-immigrant visa categories was because of “concerns with the Government of Niger.” All those effected by the pause have apparently been notified.

It is said there have been increased tensions between the US and Niger after Niger’s ruling junta expelled around 1000 U.S troops out of the country last year. This was a huge setback in US influence in West Africa, and their counterterrorism efforts.

Among the U.S expulsion, the Niger government has also dismissed the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on July 6th, accusing them of working with Islamist insurgents.

The Trump administration has pushed serious immigration policies in recent months. Officials have revoked thousands of visas, increased social media vetting, and reportedly targeted student visas and green card holders who are perceived to support the Palestinians in the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

As reported by Maghrebi.org, Trump has also enacted an immigration ban on 19 countries. A full ban on Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guniea, Eritrea, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. A partial ban on Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.

All immigration policies have of course been justified as a means of “prioritising national security.”

Africanews via Reuters, Maghrebi.org