The United States has announced a new visa restriction policy specifically designed to combat the influx of fentanyl and other illicit drugs in the country.
The Secretary of State of the United States, Marco Rubio, made the announcement, underlining the severe nature of the United States fentanyl crisis, which pointed out that it is the main cause of death for Americans from 18 to 44 years.
The Rubio Secretary declared that the new policy is addressed to family members and the nearby associates of people who have been sanctioned under executive order 14059.
By using existing sanctions tools, the Government aims to deter and interrupt the flow of illicit drugs, particularly fentanyl, in the United States, ultimately prioritizing the protection of US citizens.
According to Secretary Rubio, this policy is based on the existing sanctions and the inelegability of the visa that already exist for controlled substances traffickers.
He emphasized the devastating impact of the opioid crisis, revealing that more than 40 percent of Americans know someone who has died from an overdose, and the country is currently averaging more than 220 deaths due to overdose per day in 2024.
The main objective of the new policy, Rubio explained, is to hold those involved in the global trade of illicit drugs, which covers both individuals and entities that facilitate the flow of fentanyl to the United States.
By imposing these visa restrictions, the United States government seeks to prevent such individuals from entering the country and discouraging others to participate in similar illegal activities.
Meanwhile, last week, the United States resumed the processing of students' visa with more difficult rules, after a suspension of almost four weeks that began on May 27.
In a cable sent on June 18 to all the diplomatic missions of the United States abroad, the United States Department of State ordered embassies and consulates to start programming interviews for visa applicants F, M and J, those who request academic, vocational and exchange visas.
In addition, the country revealed that it will now project social media profiles of all applicants for visas of student and exchange visitors before granting the entrance, as part of the improved research measures.