Ola Akinwunmi
The United States Mission in Nigeria has issued a stern warning to Nigerian travellers, emphasizing that overstaying their U.S. visas can result in severe consequences, including permanent bans and potential criminal prosecution.
In a statement released on Monday, the mission highlighted that claims of an “honest mistake” will not be accepted as a valid excuse for overstaying. Consular officers have full access to travellers’ immigration histories and will be aware of any past violations.
The mission said the consequences of overstaying a U.S. visa are significant: overstays exceeding 180 days but less than one year may result in a three-year re-entry ban. Overstays of more than one year can lead to a ten-year ban. Repeat offenders or those with serious violations risk a permanent ban.This advisory comes amid heightened scrutiny of immigration policies under the current U.S. administration.
Recent reports indicate that approximately 201 Nigerians are currently detained in U.S. immigration centres, with around 85 cleared for deportation. The Nigerian government has expressed concerns about these deportations, advocating for a more humane repatriation process.
Nigerian travellers are urged to adhere strictly to the terms of their visas to avoid these severe penalties. The U.S. Mission stated that it is the responsibility of travellers to comply with visa regulations, and ignorance will not be considered a valid defence.