US will impose visa restrictions on executives of travel companies that facilitate irregular migration

Washington: Apna Punjab Media: The US State Department has announced that the United States will impose a visa ban on executives of travel agencies and tour operators who primarily provide travel services to illegal immigrants in the country. Such a move expands existing policy under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), which prohibits issuing visas to people who facilitate irregular immigration to the US and who profit from the exploitation of vulnerable immigrants. The US State Department has warned against continuing to enforce visa restrictions against transit agents involved in illegal immigration, noting that “no one should take advantage of vulnerable migrants”. US announces visa restrictions on Colombian shipping companies and air charter representatives The US has imposed similar measures on other categories of transport agents. In May 2024, the US State Department imposed visa restrictions on Colombian companies over irregular immigration. Additionally, in March 2024, the US imposed a visa ban on representatives of air charter companies helping illegal immigrants into the country. The US advised potential immigrants to seek safe and legal routes, with US officials saying that those who enter the US through illegal routes often pay high fees, putting themselves and their families at risk. They will only be placed in removal proceedings in accordance with US immigration law. Therefore, the US State Department has urged potential immigrants to use safe and legal routes to the US.