”We’ll prosecute, ban visa fraudsters from entry”’-US tells Nigerians

The United States government has doubled down on its visa curb and immigration crackdown, threatening to pursue criminal charges against Nigerians who engage in visa fraud.

In a post on its X handle announcing the measure, the US Mission in Nigeria said that those who bring in and harbour “illegal aliens” to the US would also face a similar fate.

The Mission also reiterated the US resolve to permanently deny those who entered the country with fake documents future access to the United States.

“U.S. government inter-agency efforts combat fraud and will end illegal immigration. Those who commit visa fraud will be banned from the United States for life.

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“A nation without borders is not a nation. We will pursue criminal charges against those who engage in permit fraud and those who bring in and harbour illegal aliens,” the Mission stated.

Visa expiration

This latest warning comes on the heels of recent travel guidance by the United States Embassy in Nigeria, declaring that the U.S. visa expiration date does not determine the duration of stay in the country.

The Embassy emphasised that the length of time a Nigerian traveller could remain in the U.S. was decided by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the port of entry, instead of the date stamped on the visa.

The embassy called on travellers to pay attention to their I-94 form to avoid costly immigration missteps.

“The length of time an international visitor is allowed to stay in the United States is determined by the Customs and Border Protection, CBP, officer upon your arrival, NOT your visa expiration date.

“A US permit allows you entry to a US port of entry and request permission to enter. How long you are allowed to stay in the United States is not your visa expiration date.

‘’The CBP determines your ‘Admit Until Date’ upon your arrival and you can check the date by which you must depart online at i94.cbp.dhs.gov.”

The embassy also cautioned that such action could result in deportation and a permanent ban on re-entering the country.