US Embassy denies claims Kenyans will be affected by immigration ban

dennis kibet

February 2, 2017 11:04 AM

President Donald Trump issued an Executive Order temporarily suspending entry into the US of some foreign nationals.

The US Embassy has denied claims that there is a quota for the number of Kenyans permitted visas or entry to the United States.

Last week, President Donald Trump issued an Executive Order temporarily suspending entry into the US of some foreign nationals.

Kenyans were a worried lot after media reports and posts on social media purporting some Kenyans visitors staying in the US would be affected.

“This Order does not change visa reciprocity or validity for Kenyan travellers to the United States in any way. The U.S. Embassy in Nairobi continues to issue five-year, multiple entry visas for Kenyans travelling for tourism, business, and study, and we continue to process immigrant visas (green cards) for Kenyans,” a statement issued by the embassy read in part.

The embassy said the order did not affect the permitted duration of stay for Kenyan visitors, which is determined at the port of entry, which is usually a maximum of six months for tourists and that the media reports and social media reports circulating claiming otherwise were false.

Countries affected

The countries affected by the Executive Order are Somalia, Yemen, Sudan, Iraq, Iran, Syria, and Libya.

The entry of foreign nationals into the US from these seven countries will be temporarily suspended as the country reviews its current security vetting procedure.

According to the White House, the Executive Order is meant to protect the American people from terrorist attacks by foreign nationals admitted to the United States.

“In order to protect Americans, the United States must ensure that those admitted to this country do not bear hostile attitudes toward it and its founding principles. The United States cannot, and should not, admit those who do not support the Constitution, or those who would place violent ideologies over American law,” a statement from the White House read.

dennis kibet