By Alicia Chamely
NO foreign government is involved the approvals, denials, or revocations of US Visas. Nor does the US revoke Visas due one exercising their right of free speech.
In a sharp response to Minister of Homeland Security Roger Alexander’s letter to the US Embassy suggesting the US revocation of Visas held by foreign-based Trinbagonian bloggers, the embassy released a statement on Wednesday via Facebook clarifying their policies on the approvals, denials, or revocations of US Visas.
The post also addressed speculation that social activist Gary Aboud’s US B1/B2 Visa was revoked for speaking against T&T’s government’s support of US military boat strikes on suspected drug runners.
On Monday, it was revealed Alexander wrote to a letter to be delivered to the Embassy’s Chargé d’Affaires, Dr Jenifer Neidhart de Ortiz requesting the US “support our efforts should we choose to exercise immigration authorities, including visa revocation, against non-resident individuals who repeatedly propagate destabilising content and place our security forces at risk.”
Alexander accused foreign based Trinidadian blogger of spreading a “pattern of misinformation” that was “bordering on the destabilisation of the country.”
Days before, social activist and businessman Gary Aboud revealed his US Visa had been revoked without any official explanation.
Speaking with AZP News on Monday, regarding the revocation of his Visa and the revelation of Alexander’s letter, Aboud said, “I still maintain the government had something to do with it, especially with Alexander’s letter to the US Embassy.”
In their statement on Wednesday the US Embassy stated that US Visa approvals, denials or revocations were not influenced by foreign governments.
The statement read, “The United States government makes all decisions about its visas; no foreign government is involved in visa approvals, denials, or revocations.”
Regarding Visas being revoked for anti-government online expressions of opinion, the Embassy stated, “The United States does not revoke visas due to the exercise of the right to free expression, which is a cornerstone value of our country.”
The Embassy did clarify, however, that the US had the right to revoke and deny visas based on criminal activity.
