The United States government has begun enforcing a policy that allows the US State Department to restrict visas for individuals responsible for violations of religious freedom in Nigeria.

The disclosure was made by Mark Walker, the US Principal Adviser for Global Religious Freedom, who confirmed that the policy has already been implemented.

In a post shared on X, Walker explained that people involved in religious persecution would face extra scrutiny and could be denied entry into the United States.

He said, “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 visa restriction policy was first announced in December by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who said the measures would target individuals who knowingly direct, authorise, fund, support, or carry out violations of religious freedom.

According to Rubio, the move is part of the US government’s response to violence against Christians in Nigeria and other parts of the world.

The policy followed a resolution introduced by Chris Smith, chairman of the US House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa.

Smith had recommended visa bans and asset freezes on individuals and organisations accused of severe violations of religious freedom in Nigeria.

The resolution specifically mentioned the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore as entities allegedly linked to such violations.

Earlier in February, some US lawmakers also proposed sanctions against Rabiu Kwankwaso, former governor of Kano State, accusing him of complicity in religious freedom violations.

However, Walker did not reveal the names of individuals or groups currently affected by the visa restrictions.