The United States announced visa restrictions on travel agencies, their owners, and senior officials involved in facilitating the illegal movement of migrants into the country.

The announcement was made by US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce, though she did not provide details on the number of individuals or entities affected by these restrictions.

“The Department of State is taking steps today to impose visa restrictions on owners, executives, and senior officials of travel agencies based in India for knowingly facilitating illegal immigration to the United States,” Bruce stated.

She added, “Mission India’s Consular Affairs and Diplomatic Security Service work every day across our Embassy and Consulates to actively identify and target those engaged in facilitating illegal immigration and human smuggling and trafficking operations. We will continue to take steps to impose visa restrictions against owners, executives, and senior officials of travel agencies to cut off alien smuggling networks. Our immigration policy aims not only to inform foreign nationals about the dangers of illegal immigration to the United States but also to hold accountable individuals who violate our laws, including facilitators of illegal immigration.”

The US government did not immediately reveal how many travel agencies had been targeted for their role in facilitating illegal immigration.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in India mentioned that since the tenure of President Donald Trump began, the US has deported 682 Indians, which could include individuals who entered illegally or overstayed their visa.

Bruce further emphasized the importance of enforcing US immigration laws, stating, “Enforcing US immigration laws and policies is critical to upholding the rule of law and protecting Americans.” She also noted that these visa restrictions apply globally, even to those who qualify for the Visa Waiver Program, as part of actions taken under section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.