Former Nigerian senator and human rights activist, Shehu Sani, has provided a stark interpretation of the United States' latest visa restrictions, arguing that the policy now broadly targets ordinary citizens and signals a rejection of migrants from the developing world.
From Targeted Bans to a Broader Message
Sani's reaction came after the administration of President Donald Trump, on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, signed a proclamation expanding America's travel restrictions. The move added 15 new countries, including Nigeria, to a list facing partial visa limitations.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Sani contrasted this new development with an earlier phase of visa bans. He noted that the first restrictions, announced earlier in the year, were focused on individuals specifically accused of religious persecution, which led to some celebratory reactions online from Nigerians who believed only government officials were affected.
"The second visa restriction is for everyone, now that Nigeria is listed among 23 others," Sani stated bluntly. He emphasized that the updated list is dominated by Black African and Caribbean nations, despite the US citing security and information-sharing deficiencies as the primary justification.
Questioning the Broader Intent
The former lawmaker pointed out that the conspicuous absence of Arab countries from the list raises significant questions about the policy's wider objectives. According to Sani, the inclusion of Nigeria and similar nations confirms that the move is no longer about penalizing a few officials for specific offences.
"The message is very clear; Third World migrants are NOT welcomed. Stay back and build your country or deal with your problems," he asserted. Sani believes the policy represents a deliberate effort to shut the door on migrants from developing countries.
The US government, as reported by outlets like USA Today and NBC News, stated that the affected countries exhibited "persistent and severe deficiencies in screening, vetting, and information-sharing," which allegedly pose risks to public safety and national security.
Details of the Expanded US Travel Restrictions
The proclamation signed by President Trump adds the following 15 countries to the existing list:
- Nigeria
- Angola
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Benin
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Dominica
- Gabon
- The Gambia
- Malawi
- Mauritania
- Senegal
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
- Tanzania
- Tonga
The White House explained that the restrictions aim to prevent entry where American officials lack "sufficient information" about travellers' backgrounds, while also advancing broader foreign policy goals.
Despite the tougher stance, the proclamation includes exemptions for certain groups. Lawful permanent residents, current visa holders, diplomats, athletes, and individuals whose entry is deemed in the US national interest are not affected. However, the policy introduces tighter limits on some family-based immigrant visa categories.
This development follows earlier moves in 2025 where the Trump administration announced outright visa bans for citizens of 12 countries and imposed restrictions on seven others. These measures were part of a broader effort to protect US jobs, which also included actions targeting skilled migrant workers.
The authority for these actions stems from the US Immigration and Nationality Act, which empowers the president to suspend the entry of immigrants for a fixed period or indefinitely, until a proclamation is amended or revoked.
