The United States Embassy in Nairobi has warned Kenyans against the temptation of trying to bypass Visa regulations, reiterating that it could lead to a lifetime ban.
The embassy, in a statement released on Wednesday, July 23, cautioned that individuals found engaging in fraudulent activities to obtain U.S. visas would effectively sever any chances of travelling to the U.S. amid heightened efforts by Donald Trump's government to combat unlawful immigration.
“U.S. government interagency efforts combat fraud and will end unlawful immigration. Those who commit visa fraud will be banned from the United States for life," reads the statement.
In addition to a lifetime ban, the U.S. Embassy warned that individuals found to be engaging in visa fraud, either for themselves or their relatives, could potentially face charges.
"A nation without borders is not a nation. We will pursue charges against those who engage in visa fraud and those who bring in and harbour aliens," the statement went on.
Visa Fraud
In recent months, the United States has intensified its crackdown on visa fraud, not only among Kenyans but also globally. Trump has shown his intention to seal all loopholes that were previously being exploited by immigrants to enter the country unlawfully.
One of the most common forms of visa fraud is deliberately providing false information or hiding critical facts during the visa application process.
Under Section 212 of the U.S's Immigration and Nationality Act, such misrepresentation makes a person permanently inadmissible to the United States.
Other forms of Visa fraud, which can land one in legal trouble, include using fake employment letters, using sham marriages and applying for Visas with falsified academic credentials.
All these malpractices have reportedly been rampant among immigrants, prompting the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to come up with more stringent verification protocols at consulates and embassies.
To enhance Visa integrity among successful applicants, Trump's administration also recently introduced a 'visa integrity fee' that will affect all non-immigrant visa applicants.
The additional charge, set at a minimum of $250 (approximately Ksh32,500), is part of the newly enacted 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act' passed by the Trump-led administration.
The Visa Integrity Fee will be applied on top of existing visa application fees. This effectively means that Kenyan tourists, business travellers, and students seeking to visit the U.S. will have to bear with considerably higher costs.
