The United States Mission in Nigeria has announced a robust interagency initiative to combat visa fraud and curb illegal immigration among Nigerians.
It emphasised severe consequences for Nigerian offenders.
In a statement posted on its official X account on Monday, the U.S. Mission underscored its commitment to protecting national borders, declaring that individuals found guilty of visa fraud will face a lifetime ban from entering the United States and potential criminal prosecution.
The initiative, described as a coordinated effort across multiple U.S. government agencies, aims to strengthen the integrity of the immigration system.
U.S. government interagency efforts combat fraud and will end illegal immigration. Those who commit visa fraud will be banned from the United States for life, the statement read.
It further warned that authorities will pursue criminal charges against those involved in visa fraud or facilitating illegal immigration, including harbouring undocumented immigrants.
The U.S. Mission emphasized, “A nation without borders is not a nation,” signaling a firm stance on enforcement.
This announcement aligns with broader U.S. efforts to tighten immigration controls, as evidenced by recent federal investigations.
For instance, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently uncovered a visa fraud scheme in Louisiana, leading to the indictment of five individuals, including four law enforcement officers, for producing false police reports to support fraudulent U visa applications.
Similarly, in Texas, two residents were charged with orchestrating a large-scale visa fraud operation involving EB-2, EB-3, and H-1B applications.
The U.S. Mission’s warning specifically targets the use of falsified documents, such as fake bank statements, fraudulent invitations, or doctored academic records, which could result in permanent exclusion from the U.S.
The statement comes amid tightened visa policies for Nigerian nationals, with new rules effective from July 8, 2025, limiting most non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas to single-entry, three-month validity periods—a shift from previous policies allowing longer, multiple-entry visas.
