[Mhiz Rebecca]

The U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Stuart Symington,
on Friday said America would not discriminate against
any Nigerian on the basis of religion or on the new
visa regime.
President Trump recently signed an executive order
that banned citizens from seven countries from
travelling into the U.S. for 90 days.
The countries are Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan,
Syria and Yemen.
The restrictions were part of wide-ranging immigration
controls that also suspended refugee arrivals.
At a press conference in Abuja on President Donald
Trump’s executive order and its effects on Nigeria, the
ambassador dispelled the rumour of reducing U.S. visa
policy for Nigeria to one year.
Symington said that the two-year visa for Nigeria was
still valid.
“The new order now is for the U.S. government to
cross-check as many that are coming into the U.S.
before issuing visas.
“We will not discriminate on the basis of religion in
issuing visas to Nigerians. The two-year visa is still
valid contrary to reports we have heard in the media.
“Nigeria’s leadership role is crucial in the world and
Nigeria cannot be blacklisted. The importance of
Nigeria in the world is legal,” he said.
The envoy explained that Nigerians, particularly its
Muslim community, would not be discriminated
against by the order.
He said that the aim of the executive order was not to
be used as a weapon to deliberately deny anyone visa
into the U.S.
The ambassador explained that the executive order
was designed to put in place a new and effective
system.
He said that the new system would ensure that
people, who genuinely wanted to visit, live or work in
the U.S., could do so and stop any that posed a threat
from entering into the country.
On the issue of the U.S. closing its doors against
countries that were in crisis and refugees, Symington
said that his country was not shutting its doors but
putting in place measures to ensure safety for all.
“We recognise that we are a nation of immigrants and
a nation constantly seeking to bring diverse people
together.
“Our goal is to have in place a process that works. For
everyone that applies for a visa, we should be able to
find out the persons background as to where he has
been before.
“The idea is to ensure that when we open the door to
our house, people are going in to do good deeds, not
to do harm,” he said.
The Head of Consular Affairs, U.S. Embassy, Abuja,
Mr Megan Moore also gave assurance that the
executive order would not affect the validity of visas
issued to Nigerians, saying that the only thing that
had changed “is the renewal period’’.
The Consular Chief said that though the U.S. visa
policy was based on reciprocity, Nigerians would not
be discriminated against.
“It is important to note that there is not going to be
any changes for Nigerians who have a valid U.S. visa.
“The U.S. Government issues multiple-entry two-year
visa to Nigerians. The rumour that we are planning to
change that to one year is not true.
“The main difference for Nigerians will be; you can use
the DHL Drop box renewal programme if your visa has
expired within 12 months.
“But if it expired more than 12 months ago, then you
will need to schedule an appointment for interview.
“Our goal is to ensure that Nigerians are able to travel
to U. S. so that they continue to participate in the
fabrics of our lives,” Moore said.