The United States has imposed sweeping visa restrictions on nationals from Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana and Nigeria, slashing the validity of most non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas to single-entry, three-month terms.
While the US State Department frames the move as part of a “global reciprocity realignment,” critics say the policy may be less about fairness and more about coercing African nations to accept deportees, including prisoners from third countries.
The timing of the restrictions has sparked speculation that they are linked to mounting US pressure on African governments to accept Venezuelan nationals, some of whom are incarcerated in American prisons.
Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar recently rejected the proposal outright, stating that his country “will not serve as a dumping ground” for foreign prisoners.
“We already have 230 million people,” he said, “It will be unfair for Nigeria to accept 300 Venezuelan deportees.”
The Trump administration has revived a controversial deportation strategy that involves sending migrants to third countries, even when they are not citizens of those nations.
In recent months, South Sudan was forced to accept eight deportees – only one of whom held South Sudanese nationality – prompting a diplomatic backlash and the revocation of visas for all South Sudanese passport holders.
Observers say the visa clampdown may be a form of diplomatic leverage, designed to pressure African governments into signing deportation agreements.
The US has reportedly asked multiple African leaders to accept migrants from countries such as Venezuela, Cuba and Myanmar, citing legal backing from a recent Supreme Court ruling that allows third-country deportations without prior consent.
The policy shift has triggered concern across the continent, with African officials warning that the US is attempting to offload its immigration challenges onto nations already grappling with economic and social pressures.
Critics argue that the visa restrictions disproportionately affect students, business travellers and families, while failing to address the root causes of migration.
As the US tightens its immigration stance, African nations face a difficult choice: comply with Washington’s demands or risk further diplomatic fallout.
JN/APA