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US imposes new visa restrictions on some South Africans
2 hrs ago |
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The United States has announced new visa restrictions targeting certain foreign nationals linked to South African laws and policies, escalating tensions between Washington and Pretoria over land reform and racial inequality.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the policy on Tuesday, saying it would apply to people deemed responsible for, or complicit in, policies that enable uncompensated land seizures, race-based discrimination or the incitement of imminent violence against minority ethnic or racial groups in South Africa.
The measures do not constitute a blanket visa ban on South Africans. No specific individuals were named when the policy was announced.
The Trump administration has repeatedly criticised South Africa's land reform and employment policies, arguing that some measures aimed at addressing historical racial inequality discriminate against the country's Afrikaner minority.
Rubio said the United States remained concerned about what Washington described as racially motivated crime, government-sponsored discrimination and threats of land expropriation without compensation.
The policy is being implemented under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the US Immigration and Nationality Act, which allows the Secretary of State to restrict entry where an individual's admission could have potentially serious adverse foreign-policy consequences for the United States. Certain family members may also be covered.
The announcement marks another deterioration in relations between the two countries since Donald Trump returned to the US presidency. Washington has previously taken measures affecting its relationship with Pretoria, including cutting aid and imposing other diplomatic restrictions.
South Africa has rejected the US administration's characterisation of its policies, arguing that land reform and other measures are intended to address inequalities inherited from apartheid. Pretoria has also defended its right to determine its domestic policies and has disputed claims that white South Africans are being systematically persecuted.
The latest visa restrictions come as the two countries remain engaged in wider discussions over trade and diplomatic relations, with South Africa seeking to address US concerns while protecting its economic and foreign-policy interests.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the policy on Tuesday, saying it would apply to people deemed responsible for, or complicit in, policies that enable uncompensated land seizures, race-based discrimination or the incitement of imminent violence against minority ethnic or racial groups in South Africa.
The measures do not constitute a blanket visa ban on South Africans. No specific individuals were named when the policy was announced.
The Trump administration has repeatedly criticised South Africa's land reform and employment policies, arguing that some measures aimed at addressing historical racial inequality discriminate against the country's Afrikaner minority.
The policy is being implemented under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the US Immigration and Nationality Act, which allows the Secretary of State to restrict entry where an individual's admission could have potentially serious adverse foreign-policy consequences for the United States. Certain family members may also be covered.
The announcement marks another deterioration in relations between the two countries since Donald Trump returned to the US presidency. Washington has previously taken measures affecting its relationship with Pretoria, including cutting aid and imposing other diplomatic restrictions.
South Africa has rejected the US administration's characterisation of its policies, arguing that land reform and other measures are intended to address inequalities inherited from apartheid. Pretoria has also defended its right to determine its domestic policies and has disputed claims that white South Africans are being systematically persecuted.
The latest visa restrictions come as the two countries remain engaged in wider discussions over trade and diplomatic relations, with South Africa seeking to address US concerns while protecting its economic and foreign-policy interests.
Source - AFP
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