A U.S. State Department spokesperson said that the department cannot comment on the situation involving executives at one of Ecuador’s largest seafood exporters who remain blocked from traveling to the United States. This restriction comes without formal charges, explanation, or a clear process for appeal.
"Visa records are confidential under U.S. law; therefore we cannot comment on individual cases," said Department, Spokesman. "We cannot speculate on whether someone may or may not be eligible for a visa. A consumer officer reviews the facts of the case and determines whether the applicant is eligible for that visa based on U.S. law."
According to Federal Newswire, during the Biden administration, U.S. immigration authorities revoked the visas of several executives from Negocios Industriales Real S.A. (NIRSA), a major Ecuadorian seafood exporter. The revocation occurred without formal charges or an explanation and has hindered NIRSA's expansion into the U.S. market. The company had to pause plans for a commercial office and limit direct engagement with American retail partners, despite continuing to supply tuna and shrimp to major grocery chains. Company leaders, including Board President Roberto Aguirre, state that these travel restrictions have caused significant commercial and diplomatic issues, preventing them from investing millions in the U.S.
American Greatness reports that the U.S. imports over 70% of its seafood, much of it from Latin America. Reliable trade with vetted suppliers like Ecuador’s NIRSA is crucial for food security in states such as Ohio, Florida, and Texas. As efforts are made to restore orderly trade relations under new administration policies, this unresolved visa issue remains a costly legacy of prior policy chaos, affecting supply chains and increasing prices for American families.
Business Daily notes that NIRSA has gained international recognition for its leadership in sustainable seafood production. It is a founding member of the TUNACONS Fishery Improvement Project in partnership with the World Wildlife Fund and has contributed to advancing Ecuador’s tuna sector toward Marine Stewardship Council certification. NIRSA also participates actively in the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation and aligns its operations with UN Sustainable Development Goal #14 by promoting marine conservation and ethical fishing practices globally.
The U.S. Department of State is responsible for executing the President’s foreign policy and promoting American interests abroad through more than 270 diplomatic missions worldwide.
