US Threatens Visa Ban On Nigerians Who Persecute Based On Religious Beliefs
The United States is considering a series of sanctions — including visa restrictions — on Nigerians found guilty of religious persecution.
This was revealed by the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, who said the measure is a direct response to alleged violence against Christians in Nigeria.
In a statement posted on his X handle on Wednesday, Rubio wrote:
“The United States is taking decisive action in response to the atrocities and violence against Christians in Nigeria and around the world. The @StateDept will restrict U.S. visas for those who knowingly direct, authorize, fund, support, or carry out violations of religious freedom. This policy applies to Nigeria and other governments or individuals that persecute people for their religious beliefs.”
Under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the US Immigration and Nationality Act, the policy empowers the State Department to deny visas to individuals — and, where appropriate, their immediate family members — who have directed, supported, participated in, or enabled religious persecution.
Rubio emphasized that President Donald Trump is firm in his stance:
“The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria and numerous other countries.”
The move follows heightened insecurity in Nigeria and increased scrutiny from US lawmakers. On Tuesday, the US Congress held a briefing to review Trump’s October directive designating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) — the second time Nigeria has received this classification since 2020.
Trump’s declaration had earlier been accompanied by a threat of possible military action, citing what he described as widespread killings of Christians in Nigeria.
In November, the US House of Representatives also held its first briefing on the matter, condemning Nigeria’s worsening security situation and urging the Nigerian government to act decisively.
In response to growing pressure, Nigerian authorities announced several measures, including a national security emergency and plans to recruit more security personnel.
Although President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has rejected claims that Christians are being specifically targeted, it reiterated its commitment to protecting all citizens. Recently, the president inaugurated Nigeria’s delegation to the US–Nigeria Joint Working Group, created to address Washington’s expanding security concerns in Africa’s most populous nation.