The Trump administration now requires nonimmigrant visa applicants to verbally deny any fear of mistreatment in their home countries as a mandatory condition for visa approval.
The Trump administration has implemented a stringent new immigration directive requiring visa applicants from Nigeria and several other nations to verbally disclaim any intent to seek asylum before being granted entry into the United States. According to a State Department cable issued by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, consular officers must now specifically ask applicants, “Have you experienced harm or mistreatment in your country of nationality or last habitual residence?” and “Do you fear harm or mistreatment in returning to your country of nationality or permanent residence?”
The policy mandates that “Visa applicants must respond verbally with a ‘no’ to both questions for the consular officer to continue with visa issuance,” effectively forcing a waiver of asylum claims at the application stage. This move follows a federal appeals court ruling that struck down the administration’s attempt to classify border crossings as an “invasion,” and comes amid a broader crackdown where the White House has barred almost all refugees except for white South Africans, citing concerns over fraud and national security.