With Donald Trump securing a second time period as president of the USA, leaders from Africa, together with Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, expressed optimism concerning the potential for stronger financial ties between the U.S. and the continent.
Nonetheless, his return to workplace has raised issues for Nigerians planning to review, work, or immigrate to the U.S. because of the doubtless reinstatement of strict immigration insurance policies that would influence scholar visas, journey restrictions, and remittance flows.
Throughout his first time period, Trump’s administration imposed journey bans on Nigeria and different nations, citing nationwide safety issues.
The coverage brought on vital delays in processing visas for Nigerians, together with college students, professionals, and households.
Olumide Ohunayo, Common Secretary of the Aviation Security Spherical Desk Initiative (ART), mentioned that Trump’s return to workplace might result in a resurgence of his earlier immigration insurance policies, which brought on vital visa processing delays.
He identified that the backlog from Trump’s first time period remains to be affecting U.S. embassies, with candidates at present going through waits of two to a few years for interviews, until they’re authorities officers or diplomats.
Ohunayo warned that if these insurance policies are reinstated in January, the backlog might develop even bigger.
“If you happen to keep in mind, 4 years in the past, Trump’s immigration coverage pronouncement initiated the backlog that the usembassy remains to be coping with at the moment. That’s if you need to apply for a visa now, you may not have the help for an interview until the subsequent two to a few years until you’re going on as a authorities official or diplomat
“And that backlog of his coverage will now be reintroduced from January; which can now lengthen the backlog,” Ohunayo mentioned.
He additionally famous that this might result in frustration amongst candidates, together with those that have gained the inexperienced card lottery however now face extra rules.
“Many might lose curiosity or be discouraged by the additional hurdles,” he mentioned.
Ohunayo emphasised that these coverage modifications might have critical implications for each immigration and schooling within the U.S., as visa appointments proceed to take over two years to safe.
Ought to Trump revive such journey restrictions, there are issues that it might restrict Nigerians’ capability to review or work within the U.S., irritating many potential candidates who might search for options in different nations.
“Individuals who have gained the inexperienced card lottery may be subjected to additional rules. This might discourage many and even trigger them to lose curiosity solely,” mentioned Ohunayo
Regardless of issues about Trump’s return to workplace, there are consultants who consider the influence on college students is probably not as extreme.
Aviation professional Bernard Bankole argued that Trump’s insurance policies will doubtless concentrate on unlawful immigration somewhat than on college students coming to the U.S. for schooling.
“So long as college students pay their charges and aren’t concerned in something unlawful, they shouldn’t be apprehensive,” Bankole mentioned.
Bankole additionally famous that Trump’s administration, like his first time period, might prioritize defending the pursuits of Americans.
He believes that reliable college students and professionals looking for to review or do enterprise within the U.S. shouldn’t concern being focused.
“Trump is concentrated on defending the pursuits of America, and so long as college students observe the foundations, they need to be high-quality,” he mentioned.
He additional argued that whereas Trump is probably not an ideal determine, he’s seen as somebody who will battle for the nation’s financial pursuits. “Life is all about notion,” Bankole mentioned.
“Individuals see Trump as daring and prepared to guard the pursuits of the U.S., which might assist the financial system.”
Bankole additionally addressed issues about race, stating that Trump’s group features a numerous vary of individuals, together with black and Hispanic people, suggesting that not all insurance policies are racially motivated.
“The press must settle down and permit us to see what he can do,” he mentioned, noting that Trump’s potential financial insurance policies might have an effect on nations world wide, together with Nigeria.
Bankole emphasised that the main focus of Trump’s immigration coverage will doubtless stay on unlawful immigration, not on college students.
“I don’t assume there will probably be any vital influence on college students,” he mentioned.
“So long as they’ll faculty and following the foundations, they need to be unaffected.”
He concluded by stating that the U.S. financial system’s path underneath Trump might have broader international results, however that the main focus ought to stay on substance, not sentiment.
Past schooling, the return of Trump might have an effect on Nigeria’s financial system, notably via the circulate of remittances.
It might cut back home consumption and place extra strain on Nigeria’s overseas reserves.
