The US State Department plans to drastically slash the number of its embassies and consulates in Africa that can process visas for foreigners seeking to come to the United States, according to media reports.
The move is part of the Trump administration’s effort to crack down on issuing both immigrant and non-immigrant visas as part of its broader aim to limit immigration to the US and clamp down on those who travel on temporary visas but then overstay them.
Under a directive approved by Secretary of State Marco Rubio last week, the State Department will reduce consular operations in all but 20 “hubs” in Africa, the Associated Press (AP) reported.
The AP cited a conference call last Friday, where US diplomats, including consular chiefs, were told Washington would be scaling back its visa services across Africa.
Currently there are around 50 US embassies and consulates processing visa applications in Africa, and that number is expected to be significantly reduced to 20 in the coming weeks, according to the reports.
