The United States has introduced a new requirement for visa applicants, asking them to declare that they do not fear persecution in their home countries, as part of the Donald Trump administration’s broader effort to tighten immigration and restrict potential asylum seekers.The directive was issued in a diplomatic cable sent this week to all US embassies and consulates, according to CNN. This comes amid a wider set of immigration policy changes that have significantly increased scrutiny of travellers seeking entry to the United States.The new rule applies to nonimmigrant visa categories, including tourists, students and temporary workers. It builds on earlier steps taken by the administration, which had already increased investigation for student visa applicants and temporarily paused certain immigration decisions to align with updated security guidance.In January, the US also suspended immigrant visa processing for nationals from 75 countries as part of its broader review of entry procedures.According to the directive issued, consular officers are now instructed to ask applicants two specific questions:
- Have you experienced harm or mistreatment in your country of nationality or last habitual residence?
- Do you fear harm or mistreatment in returning to your country of nationality or permanent residence?
The directive states that applicants must respond ‘no’ to both questions in order for their visa processing to continue.“Consular officers must prevent abuse of the immigration system by visa applicants who misrepresent their purpose of travel, including those who attempt to obtain nonimmigrant visas for the purpose of claiming asylum upon arrival in the United States,” the directive said.A State Department spokesperson said consular officers play a key role in national security.“Consular officers are the first line of defense for US national security,” the spokesperson said, adding that the department “uses all available tools and resources to determine whether each visa applicant qualifies under US law.”Under US law, asylum claims can only be made by individuals who are physically present in the country and who are fleeing persecution based on political, racial or religious grounds.However, experts have raised concerns about the impact of the new directive.Camille Mackler, an immigration policy consultant, said the requirement could place applicants in difficult situations.“It is going to put people in really bad, terrible positions of having to make choices that ultimately affect their and their family safety,” she said.She added that the policy could also push some individuals toward unsafe migration routes. “I also think this pushes people to unsafe pathways and unsafe routes, because if you need to leave, you leave, and you do whatever you need to do,” she said.
