The U.S. Department of State has announced visa restrictions on senior executives from travel agencies in Europe and Asia, who are accused of facilitating irregular migration to the United States. This action is part of a larger effort to combat exploitative practices associated with migration, in collaboration with both governmental and private sector partners.
"We will continue to take steps to impose visa restrictions against owners, executives, and senior officials as part of our broader campaign against such exploitative practices within and beyond the Western Hemisphere," stated the Department of State. The initiative has so far targeted individuals from 16 countries across Latin America, the Middle East, Europe, Asia, Northern Africa, and Western Africa. These efforts have led to the closure of over 70 charter flight routes that were being used for irregular migration.
The policy also emphasizes that no one should profit from vulnerable migrants. "No one should profit from vulnerable migrants – not smugglers, private companies, or public officials," according to the statement. The global visa restriction policy includes individuals eligible for the Visa Waiver Program.
These measures are implemented under section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
