President Donald Trump has introduced a new immigration policy requiring visa applicants from Nigeria and other countries to verbally disclose their intention to claim asylum in the United States during the application process.

According to the Washington Post, the directive was issued in a cable sent by Secretary of State Marco Rubio to American embassies on Tuesday, mandating that consular officers ask if an applicant is afraid of returning to their home country and whether they are facing mistreatment there. 

The instruction further stated that during their interview, an applicant applying for a nonimmigrant visa category must verbally state ‘no’ to both questions before a consular officer can proceed to grant the visa.

The cable ordered that all consular officers “should request that a nonimmigrant visa applicant affirm that he or she does not fear harm or mistreatment in returning to his or her country of nationality or former habitual residence, and document the response in case notes.”

It added that the officials must specifically ask “Have you experienced harm or mistreatment in your country of nationality or last habitual residence?” and “Do you fear harm or mistreatment in returning to your country of nationality or permanent residence?”

Additionally, “Visa applicants must respond verbally with a ‘no’ to both questions for the consular officer to continue with visa issuance,” it added.

Tuesday’s development followed last week’s verdict by a federal appeals court that ruled the declaration of an influx of migrants through the U.S.-Mexico border as an ‘invasion’ by the Trump administration to restrict the entry of asylum seekers was illegal. 

The judgment ultimately cleared the way to reopen the country to migrants fleeing persecution in their own countries. However, the Trump administration has indicated it planned to appeal the decision. 

Since returning to the White House in January 2025, Mr Trump has intensified efforts to reduce both processes, barring almost all refugees other than white South Africans, citing alleged fraud and risks to U.S. citizens.