The United States has moved from policy to action by enforcing visa restrictions on Nigerians accused of violating religious freedom, in what signals a firmer stance against alleged persecution.
Confirmation of the enforcement came from Mark Walker, who revealed that the measure is already being applied rather than remaining a mere declaration.
In a statement issued on Friday, he warned that individuals found culpable would face tougher screening and possible denial of entry into the U.S.
“We have already executed on this policy, and we will continue to subject perpetrators to additional scrutiny. If you engage in persecution, you are not welcome in America. The United States is safer when we keep those responsible for religious persecution from entering our homeland.”
The directive traces back to December 2025, when Marco Rubio introduced the policy as part of efforts to address religious rights violations. It authorises the U.S. State Department to block visas for those linked to such abuses, whether they directly carry out the acts or support them financially or politically. The restrictions may also be extended to close relatives in certain situations.
Rubio had justified the move as a necessary response to what he described as continued violence against Christians in Nigeria, citing repeated attacks blamed on extremist elements and armed groups operating across parts of the North and the Middle Belt.
