Nothing to be worried about US visa policy

The United States of America (USA) is taking steps to impose visa restrictions on Bangladeshi individuals responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic election process in Bangladesh. These individuals include members of law enforcement, the ruling party, and the political opposition. Washington has already informed Dhaka regarding their decision under the new US policy which US said was aimed to support Bangladesh’s goal of holding free, fair, and peaceful national elections.

The US is committed to supporting free and fair elections in Bangladesh that are carried out in a peaceful manner. The visa policy of the US consists of the requirements for foreign nationals to travel to, enter, and remain in the US.

Earlier on May 24, the US Secretary of State Antony J Blinken in statement announced the new visa policy. The policy includes current and former Bangladeshi officials, members of pro-government and opposition political parties, and members of law enforcement, the judiciary, and security services.

We expect that the US government would

 implement the new visa restriction policy 

after properly reviewing facts and figures in 

a fair way

The new visa policy supports Prime Minister Hasina’s stated commitment to hold free and fair election in Bangladesh and allow the US to act when Bangladeshi citizens or officials from all political parties undermine the critical demand of democracy. 

Besides, the new US visa policy would stop arson attack and violence in Bangladesh centering the upcoming general election. 

The government is not worried about the US Visa restriction as Washington started imposing it on Bangladeshi individuals responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the country’s democratic election process. Earlier, some political parties tried to establish that the (US) visa restriction will be imposed on only ruling political party, but the US again made it clear that the new policy is applicable to both the ruling and opposition political parties.

We expect that the US government would implement the new visa restriction policy after properly reviewing facts and figures in a fair way. We believe that members of BNP-Jamaat are more vulnerable to the US visa restriction as they are involved in acts to foil the next election.

We think the United States’ visa policy is an internal matter of that country. To whom USA will issue visa or not is completely the decision of that country and Bangladesh has nothing to do with the matter.