The U.S. Department of State has announced measures to impose visa restrictions on certain individuals involved in facilitating illegal immigration from India to the United States. This action targets owners, executives, and senior officials of travel agencies based and operating in India who are found to be knowingly aiding illegal immigration.
The effort is part of a broader initiative by Mission India's Consular Affairs and Diplomatic Security Service, which actively works across U.S. Embassy and Consulates in India to identify and address those engaged in human smuggling and trafficking operations. The Department emphasizes that these measures are aimed at dismantling alien smuggling networks.
"Our immigration policy aims not only to inform foreign nationals about the dangers of illegal immigration to the United States but also to hold accountable individuals who violate our laws, including facilitators of illegal immigration," a statement from the Department reads.
The new visa restriction policy is comprehensive, extending globally and affecting even those individuals who would typically qualify for the Visa Waiver Program. These actions align with section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
"Enforcing U.S. immigration laws and policies is critical to upholding the rule of law and protecting Americans," according to the Department's announcement.
