In a strong move against illegal immigration networks, the United States has announced visa restrictions targeting owners, executives, and senior officials of travel agencies in India.
These agencies are accused of knowingly facilitating unlawful migration to the US.
According to a statement issued by the US State Department on Monday, "Mission India's Consular Affairs and Diplomatic Security Service work every day across our Embassy and Consulates to actively identify and target those engaged in facilitating illegal immigration and human smuggling and trafficking operations."
The Department said it is "taking steps today to impose visa restrictions on owners, executives, and senior officials of travel agencies based and operating in India for knowingly facilitating illegal immigration to the United States." It further added, "The US will continue to take steps to impose visa restrictions against owners, executives, and senior officials of travel agencies to cut off alien smuggling networks."
The statement emphasised that the US immigration policy aims not only to educate foreign nationals about the risks of illegal migration but also to hold accountable those who help violate US laws. "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."
The visa restriction policy applies globally and extends even to individuals who would typically qualify under the Visa Waiver Programme.