The U.S. Department of State has imposed visa restrictions on owners, executives, and senior officials of India-based travel agencies that knowingly facilitate illegal immigration to the United States. This action targets individuals who operate or profit from networks enabling unauthorized migration, human trafficking, and smuggling operations.
According to Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce, Mission India’s Consular Affairs and Diplomatic Security Service actively work at U.S. embassies and consulates to identify and target those engaged in these illicit activities. The State Department is committed to continuing visa restrictions against travel agency owners, executives, and senior officials to disrupt alien smuggling networks.
“Our immigration policy aims not only to inform foreign nationals about the dangers of illegal immigration to the United States but also to hold accountable individuals who violate our laws, including facilitators of illegal immigration,” Bruce stated.
The visa restrictions are authorized under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which allows the U.S. Secretary of State to bar foreign nationals whose actions could have serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the U.S. The policy is global in scope and applies even to individuals otherwise eligible for the Visa Waiver Program. It may also extend to family members of those targeted, reinforcing the U.S. commitment to deterring illegal immigration.
The State Department emphasized that enforcing U.S. immigration laws is critical to upholding the rule of law and protecting American citizens. The visa restriction policy is global in scope and applies even to individuals otherwise eligible for visa waiver programs. It also extends to family members of those targeted, reinforcing the U.S. commitment to deterring illegal immigration.
This announcement builds on a March 2025 policy introduced by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, which imposed visa restrictions on foreign government officials, immigration and customs officers, and airport and port authority personnel who facilitate illegal immigration. Rubio underscored the importance of securing U.S. borders to ensure national safety, strength, and prosperity. The earlier policy targeted officials who fail to enforce immigration laws or deliberately enable the transit of foreign nationals seeking illegal entry into the U.S., particularly via the southwest border.
The latest restrictions focus on private-sector entities, specifically travel agencies that knowingly provide transportation and travel services to support illegal immigration to the U.S. This policy complements the expanded “3C” framework of 2024, which addressed similar activities. The State Department noted that countries along migration routes must play their part in preventing the transit of individuals attempting illegal entry into the U.S.
Rubio had stated that these restrictions will remain in place until targeted individuals and entities take meaningful steps to curb illegal immigration and transit. He had reaffirmed that the U.S. will not hesitate to act in defense of its national security interests.
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Kishor Panthi
View More PostsKishor Panthi is the founder and editor-in-chief of Khasokhas and NepYork. He is the author of three books, “Kampan,” "UNTRANSLATABLE" and “Zero Mile.” He writes about social issues, immigration, and politics.
