The Trump administration has implemented an unprecedented policy to deny visas to officials designated as facilitators of illegal migration, as part of its efforts to contain migration. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned countries along migration routes that they must cooperate to prevent the transit of people seeking to enter the United States illegally.
Rubio did not mention specific countries, but historically, Mexico and the countries of the Northern Triangle have been the main expellers of migrants, along with Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua in recent times. The new policy applies to officials of foreign governments, including those from immigration and customs, airport and port authorities, among others, who are deemed responsible for facilitating illegal immigration to the United States.
The measure announced by Trump complements the existing 3C program, which punishes private sector actors who provide transportation services for illegal migrants to the United States. Rubio stated that the United States will continue to defend its national security interests, and that the visa denial policies for foreign officials will remain in place as long as they do not take responsibility for preventing the illegal transit of people through existing policies and laws.
