Topic analysis

US tells visa applicants to deny fear of return or risk visa refusal

The U.S. State Department has issued new guidance mandating temporary visa applicants to affirm they have not experienced harm in their home country and do not fear returning; a yes response or refusal to answer drastically increases the risk of visa denial. Linked to Donald Trump’s Executive Order 14161, the policy has raised concerns it could screen out persecution victims and create perjury risks for applicants who lie to secure entry, despite asylum rights not being tied to visa application statements.