“Our Visas Are A Privilege, Not A Right” – U.S. Govt Replies Wole Soyinka
The United States Consulate has reaffirmed that visas issued to foreign nationals are a privilege, not a right, following public discussions surrounding the revocation of Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka’s U.S. visa.
In an email to The Punch on Thursday, Julia McKay, Public Diplomacy Officer at the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Consulate General in Lagos, stated that the Consulate could not release specific details about Soyinka’s case, citing U.S. confidentiality laws.
“Under U.S. law, visa records are generally confidential. We will not discuss the details of this individual visa case,” McKay said.
She emphasized that visa issuance and revocation are entirely at the discretion of the U.S. government, noting that such privileges can be withdrawn whenever circumstances warrant.
“Visas are a privilege, not a right. Every country, including the United States, determines who enters its borders. Visas may be revoked at any time,” McKay added.
The clarification follows Professor Soyinka’s recent reaction to the revocation of his B1/B2 visa, which he described as unnecessary and a personal protest against what he referred to as divisive and discriminatory leadership.
During a media session in Lagos earlier this week, the 91-year-old Nobel laureate confirmed the visa revocation and stated that he had no plans to reapply, remarking, “If you want to see me, you know where to find me.”
