On January 16, the U.S. Department of State announced visa restrictions on several executives from travel agencies in Europe and Asia for their role in facilitating illegal immigration to the United States. These travel agency leaders were accused of knowingly assisting in the unlawful entry of migrants.
This move is part of a broader U.S. initiative aimed at combatting exploitative immigration practices worldwide. The United States has already imposed similar visa restrictions on individuals from 16 countries across Latin America, the Middle East, Europe, Asia, North Africa, and West Africa. This action has resulted in the closure of more than 70 illegal charter routes, including ones linking Nicaragua to Cuba and Libya.
The U.S. government’s stance is clear: no one should profit from vulnerable migrants, whether they are smugglers, private companies, or public officials. These visa restrictions are part of a global policy, which also extends to individuals eligible for the U.S. Visa Waiver Program.
The actions are based on Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which allows the U.S. to deny entry to individuals involved in such activities.
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