THE United States has suspended immigration visas for Fiji citizens.
Fiji is among 75 countries whose citizens cannot apply to migrate to the US. This is two weeks after a complete Freeze on all visa applications from Tonga.
The suspension applies to migrant visa applicants but does not affect non-immigrant visas, such as for tourism or business.
It is part of the Trump administration’s crackdown on citizens of countries believed to require public assistance in the US. These countries also contribute a large number of overstayers.
“The Trump administration is bringing an end to the abuse of America’s immigration system by those who would extract wealth from the American people,” the US State Department said in a leaked statement reported by the Associated Press.
“Immigrant visa processing from these 75 countries will be paused while the State Department reassesses immigration processing procedures to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who would take welfare and public benefits.”
Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka – a long-term ally of the US – told local newspapers that Fijians were to blame for the situation.
“We rank very highly. They are illegal immigrants. They are there without authority and must be dealt with according to the law of the United States,” Rabuka said.
But his comment has drawn strong criticism from Fijians who live in the US – many of whom supported Rabuka’s People’s Alliance Party in the 2022 election.