- Atiku Abubakar- I call on President Donald Trump to consider adopting measures that individually target those in government who have failed in their duties, rather than target the entire Nigerian population.
- NAFSA- Policies like these and the unwelcoming rhetoric from some of our nation's leaders continue to hinder our ability to succeed in today's global competition for talent.
The US Government has announced visa immigration banning to some countries including Nigeria, Eritrea, Sudan, Tanzania, Kyrgyzstan and Myanmar.
All these six countries will now be blocked from obtaining certain types of visas, people from those countries will still be able to visit the US as tourists.
Nigeria has been Africa's most popular nation were issued more than 8000 immigration twice as many visas in 2018 than the other five countries combined.
According to the news, the official stated the new measures were the result of failures by the six countries to meet the US security and information-sharing standards.
The New Travel Ban Rules
The US said it would suspend the issuance of visas that can lead to permanent residency for nationals of Nigeria, Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, and Myanmar. While Sudanese and Tanzanian nationals will no longer be allowed to apply for "diversity visas", which are available by lottery.
How To get out of the travel ban?
In the statement issued by Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf, he said the officials would work with the countries on bolstering their security requirements to help them get off the list.
NAFSA reactions to the US travel ban
Dr Esther D. Brimmer, Executive Director and CEO of NAFSA (Association of International Educators. condemned the action by the US government in a statement:
"As international educators committed to fostering a peaceful, more welcoming the United States, we are deeply disturbed by this latest travel ban expansion and the message it sends: that the United States is not a place that welcomes or respects people of diverse backgrounds and perspectives; or to put it simply, America is closing".
"Although international students are reportedly not restricted from entering the U.S. with this latest travel ban, the combined effect of this policy expansion and the message it sends will undoubtedly accelerate the alarming decline of international students in the U.S. more than 10 per cent over the last three years.
Policies like these and the unwelcoming rhetoric from some of our nation's leaders continue to hinder our ability to succeed in today's global competition for talent.
Atiku Abubakar's reaction to the US travel ban
Meanwhile, the formal vice president of Nigeria also presidential running mate in the last general election Atiku Abubakar pleaded to President Donald Trump on his Twitter feed to consider adopting measures that individually target government officials who have failed in their duties, rather than target the entire Nigeria population.
According to his comments on Twitter:
"I understand the reasons given by the Trump administration the failure of the @MBuhari led administration to share information and to address issues of terrorism), the ban does not take into account the pro-American sentiments of the Nigerian public and the solidarity previous Nigerian administrations have had with the United States.
"I urge the government of President Donald Trump to consider the history of US-Nigerian relationships.
"Nigeria was one of the few African nations that joined the US-led coalition during Operation Desert Storm between 1990-1991 when the United States championed the liberation of Kuwait.
"The Trump administration may also consider the pivotal role of Nigeria, in partnership with the Us, played in bringing peace to Liberia, and the American sphere of influence, that now enjoys democracy because of Nigerian blood and money paved the way for peace in that nation.
"Nigerians love the United States and have been a major force for the positive development of that great nation: 77% of all Black doctors in the United States are Nigerians. Nigerians are also the most educated immigrant community in America bar none.
"Surely the US stands to benefit if it allows open borders with a country like Nigeria that is able to provide skilled, hardworking and dedicated personnel in two-way traffic. said Atiku Abubakar"
It sure will become a disadvantage for Nigeria along with the other 6 nations that was placed on the travel ban. Still it's a relief that they can still travel in the US as long as they are approved of US visa.
ReplyDeleteYes you are right.
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