The United States has announced that it will place visa restrictions on individuals directing, authorizing, funding and sponsoring ‘persecutors of Christians in Nigeria.’
The development was announced by the U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, in a post on X on Wednesday.
“United States is taking decisive action in response to the atrocities and violence against Christians in Nigeria and around the world,” he said.
“The @StateDept will restrict U.S. visas for those who knowingly direct, authorize, fund, support, or carry out violations of religious freedom. This visa policy applies to Nigeria and other governments or individuals that persecute people for their religious beliefs.”
The United States is taking decisive action in response to the atrocities and violence against Christians in Nigeria and around the world. The @StateDept will restrict U.S. visas for those who knowingly direct, authorize, fund, support, or carry out violations of religious…
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) December 3, 2025
This move follows President Donald Trump’s decision to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, citing what he described as ‘genocide against Christians’ in the country.
On October 30, Trump announced the decision on his Truth Social platform before delivering a national address to reinforce his claims.
“Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria,” Trump posted to Truth Social. “Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter. I am hereby making Nigeria a ‘COUNTRY OF PARTICULAR CONCERN’ — But that is the least of it,” he posted.
He further revealed that he had directed Rep. Riley Moore, R-W.Va., Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., and members of the House Appropriations Committee to investigate the situation and report back to him.
“The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria, and numerous other Countries,” Trump said. “We stand ready, willing, and able to save our Great Christian population around the World!”
Following his declaration, several U.S. lawmakers rallied around his position.
In one instance, U.S. lawmaker Riley Moore condemned the recent abduction of children and teachers from St. Mary Catholic School in Niger State, Nigeria.
Moore, in a statement, said, “I stand with the U.S. State Department in condemning the horrific abduction of children and teachers from a Catholic school in Nigeria.”
He stressed the need for global attention on the plight of Christians in the country. “
We cannot turn a blind eye to our brothers and sisters in Christ in Nigeria who are persecuted daily. No one should be targeted for their faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” he said.
Earlier, U.S. lawmakers warned that Washington must increase pressure on the Nigerian government, accusing Abuja of inaction as insecurity and targeted killings continue to escalate nationwide.
Speaking at the United States House Appropriations Committee’s joint congressional briefing on alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria, lawmakers said the situation had worsened to the point where stronger American intervention was required, especially after Trump’s redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern and his threat of military action.
Congressman Chris Smith said Nigerian authorities were failing in their most basic duty.
“The Nigerian government has a fundamental, constitutional obligation to protect its citizens; however, the perpetrators of this persecution operate with complete impunity,” he told the gathering.
Smith, who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Africa Subcommittee, warned that Washington would not allow Nigerian leaders to evade responsibility.
He accused the government of deliberately stalling efforts to address the violence.
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