Nigerians and other nationals who were denied United States
visas because of former President Donald Trump’s travel ban on 13 mostly
Muslim-majority and African countries can seek new decisions or submit new
applications, the State Department has said.
US State Department spokesman Ned Price said applicants who
were refused visas prior to January 20, 2020, must submit new applications and
pay a new application fee.
Price stated that those who were denied on or after Jan. 20,
2020, may seek reconsideration without re-submitting their applications and do
not have to pay additional fees.
Since his swearing-in, United States President Joe Biden has
reversed a number of policies by his predecessor Donald Trump, including an
immigration ban against Nigeria, Yemen, Venezuela and other countries in
January.
With the travel restriction, Nigerians were denied the
opportunity of applying for US green cards which gives them an official
immigration status in the United States.
Biden overturned Trump’s so-called Muslim ban on January 20,
his first day in office, calling it “a stain on our national conscience” in his
proclamation.”
The reversal of the immigration policies is part of Biden’s
campaign promises to chart a new course for the nation.
Former President Trump’s administration in February 2020
placed Nigeria and seven mostly Muslim nations- Iran, Iraq, Syria, Libya,
Yemen, Somalia and Sudan on a travel restriction it said was aimed at cracking
down on illegal migration.
Biden, however, has signed an executive action ending
restrictions on travel and immigration from some predominantly Muslim
countries.
But Price disclosed that applicants selected in the
diversity visa lottery prior to the current fiscal year are barred by U.S. law
from being issued visas if they have not gotten them already.
The diversity lottery aims to accept immigrants from
countries that are not normally awarded many visas.
Biden’s executive order in January ordered the State
Department to resume visa processing for those countries and develop a plan to
address people affected, such as those who were denied entry to the US.
“There’s no time to waste…These are just all starting
points,” Biden said before signing the 17 executive orders in the White House.
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