US Visa Restrictions Aim to Boost Security, Not Target Nigerians – Ambassador Mills

The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, has clarified that the recently announced US visa restrictions are security-driven measures and not targeted at Nigerians.
Speaking on Sunday in Abuja during a visit by a United States Congressional Delegation (CODEL), Mills explained that the visa review forms part of a broader effort to strengthen US border security and protect American communities.
According to the ambassador, the presidential proclamation, scheduled to take effect on 1 January 2026, affects only specific visa categories and is centred on improving screening, vetting, and information-sharing processes.
“The focus of the visa review is on ensuring proper vetting and credible information in the visa process, not on penalising Nigerians,” Mills said.
He noted that the proclamation clearly outlines exemptions, including holders of official and diplomatic passports, as well as individuals travelling for religious duties.
Mills urged visa applicants and the general public to consult

the official US Embassy website for accurate and up-to-date details on affected visa categories and exemptions. He also encouraged those with enquiries to use the embassy’s designated communication channels for guidance.
Also addressing the briefing, Leader of the US Congressional Delegation, Representative Bill Huizenga, described visa reviews as routine diplomatic tools aimed at encouraging compliance and cooperation, rather than punitive measures against citizens.
Huizenga stressed that such reviews focus on government systems and administrative processes, adding that similar assessments are regularly conducted in various countries across the world.
The US government reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining strong people-to-people ties with Nigeria, describing the visa measures as part of wider engagement efforts to enhance bilateral cooperation while addressing shared security concerns.
The development follows an announcement by US President Donald Trump on 16 December, expanding entry restrictions on foreign nationals from 24 countries, citing persistent deficiencies in screening, vetting, and information-sharing that pose risks to US national security and public safety.

#USVisaUpdate #NigeriaUSRelations #Diplomacy #GlobalSecurity #TravelNews #VisaPolicy #InternationalRelations