U.S. government expands visa restrictions on travel agencies promoting irregular immigration

The United States has broadened its visa restrictions to now include travel agencies and their executives who promote travel packages for undocumented immigrants. The previous restriction only included visa issuances to individuals who facilitate irregular migration to the United States and profit from exploiting vulnerable migrants.

This policy is based on Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

While the Biden administration initially announced restrictions on November 21, 2023, these new provisions represent an expansion of the initial decision:

"As we implement this extended policy, we will continue to use visa restrictions against unscrupulous transportation executives as part of our broader campaign to eliminate exploitative practices both within and beyond the Western Hemisphere, in collaboration with government and private sector partners," stated the DOS. "No one should profit from vulnerable migrants—neither smugglers, private companies, nor public officials."

The initial decision specifically targeted charter flights to Nicaragua, primarily serving irregular immigrants. A concerning trend, though, has emerged: charter flight companies have been offering flights (often at extortionate prices) that lead migrants along dangerous overland routes northward toward the U.S. border.

U.S. authorities emphasized that most of these individuals lack a legal basis for entry or residence in the United States, resulting in their deportation. Among the beneficiaries of these charter flights have been people from Haiti and Cuba.

"No one should profit from vulnerable migrants—not smugglers, private companies, public officials, or anyone else" reads the official statement from the U.S. Department of State.