This is the new restriction on US visas for transport operators who facilitate irregular migration – Publinews – 2024-02-23 23:47:25

The State Department implemented a new visa restriction policy under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), targeting owners, executives, and senior officials of charter flights and land and sea transportation companies that provide transportation services intended to be used primarily by people who intend to migrate irregularly to the United States.

“This new policy expands and replaces the 3C policy on Nicaragua regarding charter flights that was issued in November 2023,” was stated in a press release from the State Department.

The policy targets transportation operations that take advantage of the situation of vulnerable migrants and facilitate irregular migration around the world and to the United States.

“Those who come to the United States without a legal basis often pay extortionate prices and expose themselves and the family members who accompany them to risk, simply to be assigned to removal proceedings in accordance with the laws. on US immigration,†it was detailed.

“No one should benefit from the plight of vulnerable migrants, whether they are smugglers, private companies, public officials or governments. We will continue to collaborate with governments and the private sector, both within the region and beyond, to eliminate this exploitative practice,†it was stated.

Avoid irregular emigration

“The United States repatriates individuals who cross the border and do not establish a legal basis to remain in the country. We also focus a lot on traffickers. Traffickers benefit from migrants. Their profits come at the expense of vulnerable people seeking safety. No one should benefit at the expense of vulnerable migrants. And the recent actions, visa sanctions, will have consequences for the actors, who facilitate or motivate irregular migration,” said Emily Mendrala, deputy assistant to the president and senior advisor for Migration and Southwest Border Coordination, during a conference of press.

For his part, Eric Jacobstein, deputy assistant secretary of state for Central America in the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs at the State Department, emphasized that “we will use the news of this visa restriction policy to encourage the cessation of visa restrictions.” irregular migration charter operations.

“We have taken a series of actions since May 12, when the public health emergency was lifted in the United States, which have resulted in the repatriation of more than 550 thousand individuals who were found on the border with Mexico. xico, including more than 90 thousand family members. These figures are records for the time we are contemplating. So, for people who want to come to the United States and cross our border illegally, they are going to be subject to these consequences. And we ask that you do not do it and that, instead, you use the legal channels and avenues that we have put in place for people who have patience and who can use them without having to use organized crime or coyotes,” Blas added. Núñez-Neto, Undersecretary of Border Policy and Immigration at the Department of Homeland Security.