Under Trump's new rule, US to deny visas to those fearing persecution at home

The United States will deny visas to applicants who say they fear persecution in their home countries, as the Donald Trump administration moves to further restrict potential asylum seekers from entering the country, as reported by the CNN news portal.

Under a new rule outlined in a diplomatic cable sent to all embassies and consulates this week, visa applicants must affirm that they do not fear harm in their home country. The directive marks a significant shift in US immigration policy, which has already seen sweeping changes aimed at tightening entry rules.

The administration has increased vetting for student visa applicants and temporarily paused decisions on certain immigration applications to ensure compliance with newly introduced security check guidelines, according to a source familiar with the matter and an internal memo.

The latest rule applies to non-immigrant visa applicants, including tourists, students and temporary workers. In January, the US also suspended immigrant visa processing for 75 countries.

According to the cable, consular officers must ask applicants two questions: whether they have experienced harm or mistreatment in their country of nationality or last habitual residence, and whether they fear harm or mistreatment upon returning. Applicants must verbally respond “no” to both questions for the visa process to continue.

“Consular officers must prevent abuse of the immigration system by visa applicants who misrepresent their purpose of travel, including those who attempt to obtain non-immigrant visas for the purpose of claiming asylum upon arrival in the United States,” the cable stated.

A State Department spokesperson said consular officers serve as the first line of defence for US national security and that the department uses all available tools and resources to determine whether each applicant qualifies under US law.

Under US law, individuals seeking asylum must be physically present in the country and demonstrate that they are fleeing political, racial or religious persecution.

Immigration policy consultant Camille Mackler said the directive could force people into difficult and potentially dangerous decisions. “This is going to put people in really bad, terrible positions of having to make choices that ultimately affect their and their family safety,” she told CNN.

She added that the rule could push individuals toward unsafe pathways. “If you need to leave, you leave, and you do whatever you need to do,” Mackler said.