A first-of-its-kind visa restriction has been introduced by the United States.
Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, disclosed this recently.
The ban was described as “first-of-its-kind.” A statement by the State Department’s said it would affect wildlife and timber traffickers.
It noted that wildlife and timber trafficking are serious transnational organised crime activities that threaten national security, undermine economic prosperity, fuel corruption, and spread disease. The new visa restriction, which relies on section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, is now in effect.
America said it will help disrupt the movements and business of transnational criminal organisations, making it harder for them to smuggle illegal wildlife and timber.
“The Department of State will also impose restrictions on the immediate family of traffickers who are believed to be complicit or involved in wildlife and timber trafficking,” the statement read.
US added that implementation of the new tool was in furtherance of its leadership in strengthening law enforcement, countering corruption, combating organised crime, and protecting our precious natural world.
