The United States government has announced new visa restrictions targeting individuals accused of orchestrating or supporting the persecution of Christians and other religious groups in Nigeria.
The policy was revealed on Wednesday by U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, who said Washington would no longer allow those responsible for religious freedom violations to enter the United States.
Rubio, in a statement released on X, said the U.S. was taking “decisive action” in response to what it described as escalating violence, targeted attacks, and rights violations against Christians in Nigeria.
He explained that the visa ban applies to anyone “who knowingly directs, authorizes, funds, supports, or carries out violations of religious freedom,” adding that the policy covers both government actors and non-state groups.
This development follows President Donald Trump’s recent decision to redesignate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), a classification reserved for nations accused of severe violations of religious rights. Trump had claimed that Christians in Nigeria were facing what he called “genocide,” insisting the United States must intervene.
In his earlier statement on Truth Social, Trump said,
“Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter.”
He added that he had directed U.S. lawmakers, including Representatives Riley Moore and Tom Cole, to conduct a full investigation into the rising attacks and report back to him.
Following Trump’s declaration, several American lawmakers voiced support for stronger U.S. intervention. Rep. Riley Moore condemned the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Niger State, urging global attention to the plight of Christians targeted across the country.
“We cannot turn a blind eye,” Moore said. “No one should be targeted for their faith.”
At a congressional briefing on the alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria, members of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee criticized Nigerian authorities for what they called a failure to protect vulnerable citizens.
Congressman Chris Smith accused Nigerian leaders of allowing attacks to continue “with complete impunity,” insisting the U.S. would intensify pressure on Abuja until concrete action is taken.
