US blocks travelers visas from Burundi over deportations

The U.S. government said Friday that it has stopped issuing travel visas to people from Burundi because the country is not taking back citizens facing deportation from the United States.

Burundi was penalized with the visa restrictions because the government of the Central African nation has “denied or unreasonably delayed” issuing travel documents needed to repatriate its citizens, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said in a statement Friday.

The order announced covers non-immigrant visas except for government officials traveling on official business.

It comes a day after the African nation's new leader, President Evariste Ndayishimiye, was sworn into office two months early following the abrupt death of his predecessor.

“As the leadership changes for Burundi, we’re hopeful for a renewed commitment to cooperation between our nations for the benefit of each country’s citizens, ” acting DHS Secretary Chad Wolf said. “We look forward to future discussions to resolve this ongoing issue.”

DHS said that the suspension on visas will remain in place until cooperation has “improved to an acceptable level" but did not provide specific numbers.

The U.S. has for years struggled with what to do with people who have been ordered to be deported, typically because of a criminal conviction, but whose homeland won't take them back.

The Supreme Court ruled such people cannot be held in indefinite detention. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement says it has been forced to release thousands from custody as a result.

Under President Donald Trump, the U.S. has imposed visa restrictions on Gambia, Cambodia, Eritrea, Guinea, and Sierra Leone to pressure them to accept the return of their citizens, citing international legal obligations.