WASHINGTON, USA — The United States has announced new visa restrictions targeting Nigerians and other foreign nationals accused of undermining religious freedom, in what Washington describes as part of a broader effort to confront global persecution based on faith.
The policy was disclosed by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a statement posted on X on Wednesday, December 3, 2025.
Rubio said the restrictions would apply to individuals who “knowingly direct, authorise, fund, support or carry out violations of religious freedom.”
“The United States is taking decisive action in response to the atrocities and violence against Christians in Nigeria and around the world,” Rubio wrote.
“The @StateDept will restrict U.S. visas for those who knowingly direct, authorise, fund, support, or carry out violations of religious freedom. This visa policy applies to Nigeria and other governments or individuals that persecute people for their religious beliefs.”
The United States is taking decisive action in response to the atrocities and violence against Christians in Nigeria and around the world. The @StateDept will restrict U.S. visas for those who knowingly direct, authorize, fund, support, or carry out violations of religious…
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) December 3, 2025
The announcement followed a congressional roundtable in Washington, where U.S. lawmakers, religious freedom advocates, and foreign policy experts examined rising violence in Nigeria and what they described as the “targeted persecution” of Christians.
The session was part of ongoing inquiries initiated under a directive by President Donald Trump.
At the roundtable, Congressman Chris Smith, a long-time critic of Nigeria’s handling of sectarian violence, identified the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) and the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore as organisations of concern.
Smith urged the U.S. government to consider placing “Fulani-Ethnic Militias” operating in Benue and Plateau States on the Entities of Particular Concern (EPC) list under the International Religious Freedom Act.
Smith accused the Nigerian government of complicity in what he described as “religious persecution,” arguing that the pattern of attacks and the alleged failures of security agencies to curb them demanded punitive and diplomatic action.
In response, MACBAN pushed back against the characterisation and criticised the congressional recommendation for visa sanctions.
The association argued that the resolution failed to distinguish between criminal groups exploiting Nigeria’s fragile security environment and pastoralist communities that, according to the group, are themselves victims of widespread violence.
MACBAN said it expected U.S. officials to “withdraw” the recommendation, warning that conflating law-abiding pastoralists with violent groups would “undermine efforts toward peace and understanding.”
Nigeria has long struggled with intercommunal violence, banditry, and militancy, especially in the country’s Middle Belt.
While the government rejects claims of religious persecution, U.S. lawmakers at Tuesday’s session said the pattern of attacks demanded closer scrutiny.
The newly announced visa restrictions are expected to intensify diplomatic pressures on Nigeria at a time when rights organisations and religious groups continue to raise alarm over worsening insecurity and faith-based targeting.
