By Sadiq Umar – The Presidency on Monday advised Nigerians who have no “compelling or urgent” reason to travel to the U.S. to wait pending a clearer immigration policy on by the Donald Trump led administration.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who gave the advice said Nigerians lamented that Nigerians have been turned back at the airport with some have their valid visa.
Mrs Dabiri-Erewa, in a statement in Abuja, signed by media aide, Abdurrahman Balogun, said that the warning became imperative due to series of reports received by her office.
“In the last few weeks, the office has received a few cases of Nigerians with valid multiple-entry US visas being denied entry and sent back to Nigeria.”
“In such cases reported to the office, such affected persons were sent back immediately on the next available flight and their visas were cancelled.”
Mrs. Dabiri -Erewa said that “no reasons were given for the decision by the U.S. immigration authorities.”
“This is only to advise Nigerians without any compelling or essential reasons to visit the US to consider rescheduling their trip until there is clarity on the new immigration policy,” the statement said.
She, however, reminded Nigerians in the Diaspora to abide by the rules and regulations of their host countries and be good ambassadors of the country.
Since his assumption of office, Mr. Trump has promised tougher immigration policy, leading to the recent court action nullifying the executive order.
The American President had announced the controversial executive order that barred citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the U.S.
