Newly inaugurated US President Joe Biden has reversed the visa ban imposed on Nigeria by Donald Trump, his predecessor .
Biden lifted the suspension his first day in office and directed the State Department to restart visa processing for individuals from Nigeria and other affected countries.
Trump had issued a visa ban to countries who seek to relocate to the US.
In January 2020, the immediate past US president expanded the list to six more countries including Nigeria. As at the time , the US government said the policy was aimed at tightening security for countries that don’t comply with the U.S. minimum security standards or cooperate to prevent illegal immigration.
But Biden the administration is more focused on diversity and is seeking to re-open America to the world.
This reversal is part of 10-day executive actions intended to overturn key Trump policies without waiting for Congress, on issues ranging from the COVID-19 pandemic to climate change, criminal justice etc.
Biden has also brought the US back into the World Health Organisation, halted the construction of Trump’s wall on the Mexican border, and rescinded a ban on visitors from several Muslim-majority nations.
He has also committed to bring back the United States to the Paris climate agreement.