The United States government has confirmed it is enforcing visa restrictions on individuals involved in violations of religious freedom, warning that perpetrators will be denied entry.
The disclosure was made by Mark Walker, Principal Advisor for Global Religious Freedom, in a post on X on Friday.
Walker said the policy follows an earlier announcement by the U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, in December 2025, targeting individuals linked to acts of religious persecution.
According to him, the measures apply to those who have directed, funded, supported or carried out violations of religious freedom.
“We have already executed on this policy, and we will continue to subject perpetrators to additional scrutiny,” Walker said, adding that those found culpable would not be allowed into the United States.
Further details released on the State Department website indicate that the policy is backed by Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which empowers authorities to restrict visa issuance to individuals involved in acts of religious persecution, as well as, where necessary, their immediate family members.
The U.S. government said the move is part of broader efforts to respond to violence and killings linked to religious tensions in parts of the world, including Nigeria.
