What is the Real Reason the US Suspends Immigrant Travel Visas on Nigerians? [ A Discussion on Quora]
Oluwatoyin Vincent Adepoju
This is straight from the words of a Nigerian writer, on a Nigerian online publication, called Metro Daily:
The main reason Nigeria is suspended from Immigrant visas category is because Nigeria does not have a credible background investigation system that groups like Interpol can rely on to vert and certify originality.
What that means is that if someone commits a crime in Lagos and relocates to Kano, there’s no system that can be used to track crimes and people across state lines.
Virtually all African countries have such systems even Ghana has it, Cameroon everyone has original birth certificates but Nigeria prefers to have multiple identity cards not because they are interested in monitoring and tracking people but because they want to make money. Our country is a transaction society, you can buy anything even the human conscience.
He is right to the point. Nigeria has nobody to blame but themselves.
This doesn’t even make any sense. The “Nigerian writer” who wrote this is obviously seeking attention.
Unless you intend not to access any useful services, like getting a skilled job, opening bank account, voting, schooling, etc… there’s absolutely no way you can commit a crime anywhere in Nigeria and not expect to get caught in another state. This is because you need to provide biometric identification/information to access most services these days…
Also, the nonsense about Nigerian Government issuing IDs to make money is just that - NONSENSE. Almost all important IDs are issued for free (National Identification number/card, Bank Verification Number, SIM card registration, Birth Registration/Certificate, etc… all free). You might not be able to relate to this though, since US is a capitalistic country which has made even visa applications a full blown business.
The comparison with Ghana and the rest is also very ignorant. I know for a fact that Ghana especially has much poorer database system than Nigeria. It was in fact just last year that the country started trying to issue a central biometric national number/ID for its citizens. A process which has been fraught with logistical nightmare and not even half done.
So this doesn’t make sense… just like this pointless act of posting this garbage, instead of just answering the question. What’s the REAL reason? Not what a poorly informed “Nigerian writer” thinks is the reason?
This is a desperate attempt to discredit a fact, for me the write up sticks perfectly to the Nigeria model, it's at least 75% accurate, none to bad mouth the truth. You might be trying to be 0patriotic, but please don't sugar coat what is bitter. For the record, Nigeria has 0% crime rate tracking of her citizens.
You didn’t say anything really. Did you see how I picked up each point and presented a factual counter-argument? That’s how to oppose a post. You’re welcome.
Pls pick the points one by one, and I will counter each points one by one with proofs. The initial response you gave has a blanket cover to it.
You’ve just said it all, that defense of the Nigeria inherent poor systems is wicked, It was almost like the whole point was deliberately missed in order to misinform because even if the original answer wasn’t all encompassing real “Nigerians” or logical citizens with an above average IQ that hail from the geopolitical area known as Nigeria know for a fact the Nigeria entity lacks systems to actually vert it’s citizens or even a reliable data base to start with.
This isn’t the citizens doing , no it’s the doing of the tactless leadership the Nigerian people have suffered from for decades which has now led to an increased disillusioned populace that just carryon with their lives.
Going forward as “Nigerians” we need to become politically active and well meaning potential true leaders need to articulate a sustainable system prior to a much needed revolution.
Everything the original response says is the truth and makes absolute sense. Probably doesn’t make sense to you because you’re one of the numerous Nigerians who would rather run from the truth than face reality.
Or maybe I’m one of the Nigerians, who can differentiate factual reasons from fallacious excuses.
The writer actually write for his own, Yeah Nigeria doesn't have this but there's still some African countries not in the ban list but worst in citizens database than Nigeria. Maybe he should have signify politics and campaign in his write ups
It’s totally sad that this is what Nigeria has become. As a citizen of Nigeria I agree that there are no means of background check, most especially when a murder case occurs within the country, it becomes bygone because you can’t identify the deceased. My father went missing since the year 2002 and I grew up not knowing my biological mother. Till date I can’t find any record of him, I can’t identify how he went missing. All his belongings have been taken away from me with claims that they do not belong to him, I have tried all record search to investigate these but it’s becoming tougher, I was able to locate a legal document that proofs that he owns a certain property which has been claimed from me since the year 2002, but only to discover the documents in the year 2020. It’s a big shame on my country that they have decided to ignore issues related to citizens database which will only help to identify the citizens of the country. I certainly agree with the US on this as there isn’t any country willing to admit an unidentified immigrants into its system to avoid terrorism and all other manners of crimes.
Sorry about your father. But all you have said here has no bearing on the ban. Sadly people go missing especially victims of crimes and are never found (This happens all over the world, even in America). You would be shocked at the number of unsolved missing person cases that have gone cold.
Just a given example of one of the weakness and reason why Nigeria should have a database. Should you have no clear understanding of the reasons behind the ban. The inability of the Nigerian government not being able to provide concrete information of its citizens which isn’t only useful for international authorities but also useful for Nigeria.
And you have a clear understanding of the reasons behind the ban? My point is the information is available. Use yourself as an example. Does the government have concrete information about you?
Thanks Obinna, assuming there was no criminal database in Nigeria then all Nigerians migrating to Canada, Australia , New Zealand won’t be accepted. The last time I checked Alagbon, Ikoyi there’s a database readily available to provide relevant information
You mean a certificate of criminal record is issued not a database. A database is an organized collection of data stored electronically. Alagbon has stored documented papers.
Whoever wrote that publication just wanted some attention, because it is mostly untrue. In present Nigeria, you have to do some sort of bio-metrics to even operate a bank account, you can not apply for an international passport without your National Identity Number (Bio-metrics also taken at this point). Anyone can be tracked down.
A background check is a complete history of a citizen which led to me giving an example of my deceased father. The system Includes biometrics but can’t trace a complete profile of an indigene. Anyone can posses the National Identity card and apply for a Nigerian passport. But how can the system confirm if he or she is a citizen of the Country without a concrete means of identifying the individual before the issuance of a NG passport. Please kindly note this isn’t me criticizing the system of the country but stating the lapses of Nigeria and how it is being seen by foreign allies. This is just me being sincere with my personal opinions and I am not trying to promote anyone’s publication. But let the truth be said
And u think all these are available in countries like Benin Republic, Ghana or other African countries where these ban don't apply? These are just mere sentiments. It hold no ground.. your opinion isnt here or there
Why ban only immigrants visa and not all categories of visas. These so called criminals can still arrive America on tourists and students visa. Trump is looking for numbers to make his case during the next election. The high number of immigrants from Nigeria helps makes his case.
Because immigrants need to be checked by their own home countries’ law enforcement for any previous convictions. USCIS relies on that information and there is no discernible way of obtaining that information as Nigerian laws stand right now.
Meanwhile, consular officers can make decisions about any person who wants to visit the US for a temporary period of time. Also consider this, Nigeria is one of the countries with highest visa request rejection rates. Which means, consular officers there, know the culture and do thje screening accordingly. Would one or few bad apples slip through the cracks ? Sure they do, but it is not any significant number and it can happen anywhere.
Nigeria is the center of business in Africa. The G7 is making commercial development in Africa a top priority. A meeting Trump made a point of missing during the most recent conference. We isolate Nigeria when Russia and China are courting them with major investment capital.
This is not a total isolation. Travel ban is only for immigrant visa seekers. Tourist or short term business visa seekers are still able to obtain visas and enter the US on a non-immigrant basis. What you are referring to is, what I call “Trump-mongering”. I’d say let the Nigerians who can’t wait to get their Green Cards due to this ban, migrate to Russia or China. Do you see that happening ? I sure don’t. Then why bring up China and Russia to the picture ?
A Nigerian who wants to go anywhere in the world CANNOT be stopped. Multiple citizenship exists for a reason. Most west African countries allow it. So one can be Nogerian by morning,Gabonese at noon and Ghanaian just before sleep time.
To avoid taxes,protest certain policies of the US government or gain citizenship elsewhere, over 4200 Americans renounced their citizenship in 2015 marking a 20% rise from the year before. By 2017, the number had risen to 5,133. In a world of over 190 countries therefore, a Nigerian can refuse to immigrate to the USA without missing much. It is fine for the US to make decisions in it's best favour,what is Nigeria's stake in the scheme of things anyway? We just refuse to be stereotyped.
You are missing the point. You can have citizenship from all other nations in the world if you want to but when you want to emigrate to the US, your country of birth, not your country of citizenship will be questioned. And as a Nigeria born person, with the current immigrant travel ban, you will not be allowed to proceed with your immigration case. That is the point. Otherwise, visitor visas are still available to Nigerians, who can qualify for them. This travel ban is only for immigration cases.
Trump ban has nothing to do with any Nigerian database. Nigeria has means of identifying people. Drivers’ licence, Bank accounts, Voters cards, National ID all have database of people’s pictures and finger prints. Trump banned immigrants from Nigeria as the largest black Nation to reduce the chances of having more Democrats leaning population in the US.
Nigerians still travel to the US on tourist visa, and more people travel via tourist visas than immigrant visas, so what’t the point besides reducing the number of blacks with legal path to citizenship?
Oluwatoyin Vincent Adepoju
From: femi Olajide olajid...@yahoo.com [NaijaPolitics] <NaijaP...@yahoogroups.com>
Date: Sun, 8 Mar 2020 at 13:02
OVA,
Femi Olajide
Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
This is a desperate attempt to discredit a fact, for me the write up sticks perfectly to the Nigeria model, it's at least 75% accurate, none to bad mouth the truth. You might be trying to be 0patriotic, but please don't sugar coat what is bitter. For the record, Nigeria has 0% crime rate tracking of her citizens..
ReplyUpvote·6
| Reply via web post | • | Reply to sender | • | Reply to group | • | Start a New Topic | • | Messages in this topic (2) |
Forum members are reminded that NaijaPolitics is established to be a moderated forum for gavel-to-gavel discussion of political developments in Nigeria, Africa's largest democracy. Freedom of opinion/expression is inherent in NaijaPolitics. Views and opposing views expressed in NaijaPolitics forum are the rights of individual contributors. Mutual respect for people's views is the corner stone of our forum. Freedom of speech applied responsibly within the guiding parameters of Yahoo! Inc (our hosts) and NaijaPolitics Rules and Guidelines (broadcast monthly and accessible to all subscribers in our archives) is our guiding principle. Everyone posting to this Forum bears the sole responsibility for any legal consequences of his or her postings, and hence statements and facts must be presented responsibly. Your continued membership signifies that you agree to this disclaimer and pledge to abide by our Rules and Guidelines.
NaijaPolitics is division of Afrik Network Groups.
Latest Version of Disclaimer released (December 15, 2005)
