The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has advised Nigerians against travelling to the United States, unless for an urgent purpose.

“Nigerians without any urgent need should consider rescheduling their trip until there is clarity on the new immigration policy,” she said in a statement.

According to her, the warning is as a result of several reports received in the last few weeks of Nigerians with valid multiple-entry US visas being denied entry and sent back home. “No reasons were given for the decision by the US immigration authorities”, she said.

Let’s be reminded that in January, the US’ President, Donald Trump, issued an executive order limiting immigration from seven Muslim-majority countries.

This had raised concerns that Nigerians might be at risk of losing American entry visas which have two-year validity, except the government make changes to its existing immigration policy with the United States.

Nigeria issues multiple-entry visa which allows Americans to come and go for one year, which is a non-reciprocity of the two-year visa US grants to Nigerians.

Anita Fatunji