As
of October 3, 2016, the United States Embassy in Banjul, The Gambia, has
discontinued issuing visas to Gambian government officials, others associated
with the government, and their families, a press release by the US Embassy in
Banjul has stated.
It
said the Department may make exceptions for travel based on U.S. international
obligations and to advance humanitarian and other U.S. government interests.
The
release explained further: “Why is this?
There are a number of Gambians in the United States who are under final
deportation orders. Some of them are in
detention. These Gambian citizens have
all been afforded full access to the U.S. legal system, but have exhausted all
possible legal appeals. We want to
return them to their families in The Gambia, but the Gambian government must
provide passports or other travel documents so that we can do so.
“Until
travel documents are issued for Gambians ordered deported from the U.S., we are
unable to issue visas for Gambian government officials, except in limited
circumstances.
“We
hope that travel documents for Gambians under deportation orders in the U.S.
will be provided soon so that these Gambians can return home and U.S. Embassy
Banjul can resume issuing all categories of visas.
“Consular
operations at the U.S. Embassy in Banjul remain open. Visa operations will be conducted as usual,
with the exception of cases in government and government-related categories
that cannot be issued until restrictions have been lifted.”
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