Matthew Miller, Department Spokesperson

The Department of State is taking steps today to impose visa restrictions on multiple senior executives of travel agencies operating in Europe and Asia for knowingly facilitating irregular migration to the United States.  We will continue to take steps to impose visa restrictions against owners, executives, and senior officials as part of our broader campaign against such exploitative practices within and beyond the Western Hemisphere, in collaboration with partners in government and the private sector.  To date, we have taken steps to impose visa restrictions on individuals from 16 countries in Latin America, the Middle East, Europe, Asia, Northern Africa, and Western Africa, helping to close more than 70 charter flight routes, including routes connecting Nicaragua to Cuba and Libya.

No one should profit from vulnerable migrants – not smugglers, private companies, or public officials.  This visa restriction policy is global and also applies to individuals who otherwise qualify for the Visa Waiver Program.  These actions are taken pursuant to section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.