US bans Nigerian visa overstayers, law breakers, insists “there is no such thing as an ‘honest mistake’”
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Nigerian visa overstayers and perpetrators of other offences in the United States have been targeted for a ban on re-entry to Donald Trump country, the US Mission in Nigeria has warned, stressing “there is no such thing as an ‘honest mistake.’”
The US Mission alerted on the severe consequences of visa rule violations in a post on X, reiterating that consular officers can access an individual’s full immigration history, making it nearly impossible to avoid penalties for past infractions.
“If you overstay your US visa, you could face a permanent ban on travelling to the United States. Consular officers have full access to your immigration history and will know about past violations,” the post said.
“There is no such thing as an ‘honest mistake’ – it is your responsibility to use your visa correctly.”
- Those who overstay their visa for more than 180 days but less than a year may face a three-year re-entry ban.
- If the overstay exceeds one year, the penalty could be a 10-year ban.
- Repeat offenders or those with serious violations risk a permanent lifetime ban.
The US has become stricter with immigration policies since Trump’s return to the White House on January 20.
Abuja on February 16 raised concerns about the deportation of Nigerians from America, urging Washington to adhere to international conventions and ensure a dignified repatriation process.
Foreign Affairs Minister of State Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu stressed during a meeting with US Ambassador to Nigeria Richard Mills Jr. that deportation places a huge emotional and financial strain on deportees and their families in Nigeria.
“About 201 Nigerians are currently detained in US immigration centres, with around 85 cleared for deportation,” she said.
“With the new US administration in place, we expect commitments to ensure that, if repatriation occurs, it will be done with dignity.”
Odumegwu-Ojukwu reiterated that many Nigerians in the US play a crucial role in supporting their families back home through remittances which help sustain livelihoods and fund education.
She said deportation, especially for those with no violent criminal history, should not be sudden or traumatic.
“We are asking as a country whether they will be given ample time to handle their assets or will they just be bundled onto planes and repatriated?”
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