Mark Walker, the United States‘ chief adviser for global religious freedom, said the government has developed a policy that authorises the State Department to deny visa issuance to persons responsible for religious freedom breaches in Nigeria.

In December, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced additional visa restrictions aimed at people who “knowingly direct, authorise, fund, support, or carry out violations of religious freedom.”

The secretary of state stated that the measure was part of the United States‘ strong reaction to “atrocities and violence against Christians” in Nigeria and across the world.

The statement comes a month after Chris Smith, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Africa Subcommittee, filed a resolution urging visa bans and asset freezes for persons and corporations responsible for egregious breaches of religious freedom in Nigeria.

Smith’s decision identified the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) and the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore as guilty parties.

Walker stated in a post on X on Friday that “we have already executed on this policy, and we will continue to subject perpetrators to additional scrutiny,” but did not name the affected organisations.

“If you engage in persecution, you are not welcome in America,” he added. “The United States is safer when we keep those responsible for religious persecution from entering our homeland.”

In February, US legislators requested penalties on Rabiu Kwankwaso, Kano state’s former governor, accusing him of violating religious freedom.