Nigerian missions to address passport, visa, Diaspora concerns
In a statement reflecting a hardline posture, the United States (U.S.) authorities have issued a clear warning to non-citizens, including international students, that anyone who violates the country’s laws would face severe repercussions.

According to the statement, the consequences may include visa refusal, visa revocation, deportation, and disqualification from obtaining future U.S. visas.

However, multiple federal agencies, including the State Department and Homeland Security, are reinforcing this message.

A spokesperson reiterated that the United States maintains “zero tolerance for non-citizens who violate the laws,” emphasising that any wrongdoing, even by students, can trigger enforcement actions, including visa cancellation and expulsion.

This cautionary stance follows the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria’s recent directive, urging visa holders, particularly students, to obey visa terms strictly.

The advisory explicitly warned that overstaying or breaching visa conditions, such as shunning lectures, could threaten current legal status and future entry opportunities.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian missions in the U.S. had held a virtual town hall meeting with Nigerians across the country to address Diaspora concerns and counter online misinformation.

The three missions are the Embassy of Nigeria in Washington DC, the Consulate General of Nigeria in New York, and the Consulate General of Nigeria in Atlanta.

Participants at the meeting raised pressing issues and received candid answers on matters ranging from passports and visas to investment, trade, and national image.

The meeting also offered constructive criticisms and discussed practical solutions for improving services at the missions.

The Acting Ambassador of Nigeria to the U.S., Samson Itegboje, announced that New York and Atlanta now have a passport printer, with Washington DC operating two, to speed up processing.

He said that “Nigerians apply for passports, visas, and other consular services at the last hours and want us to do magic.”

The diplomat said that the Nigerian government would leverage the power of Nigeria in the Diaspora to enhance diplomatic relations.

Also, the Consul-General of Nigeria in New York, Abubakar Jidda, told Nigerians in the Diaspora that Nigeria remains their country and cautioned them against destructive criticism.

In his own remark, the Consul-General of Nigeria in Atlanta, Auwalu Namadina, stressed that “fixing Nigeria is not for some, but for everybody.”

Namadina urged continuous dialogue so that the missions and Nigerian nationals in the U.S. understand each other’s challenges and proffer lasting solutions to them.