The Government of Cape Verde on Wednesday (7) expressed regret over the decision by the United States of America (U.S.) to require a bond from visa applicants, but placed responsibility on Cape Verdean citizens who overstay their authorised period of stay, urging them to comply with U.S. law.
“The Government of Cape Verde regrets this measure, which may restrict mobility between the two countries, but recalls that it results from the behaviour of Cape Verdean citizens who, holding tourist or business visas, end up failing to comply with U.S. immigration laws,” reads a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).
At issue is the practice of remaining in the United States beyond the authorised period or staying illegally in the country, a situation referred to as overstay.
According to the Cape Verdean Government, Cape Verde has an overstay rate of 13.26%, representing an increase compared to 2013, when the rate stood at 12.41%—figures considered high when compared to those of several other countries.
“This situation therefore results from individual behaviour that has nothing to do with the Government, which has already appealed, on several occasions since last year—both in the U.S. and in Cape Verde—for the responsibility of Cape Verdean visitors and those who host them, so as to avoid engaging in or facilitating illegal practices, namely remaining beyond the period permitted by each type of visa,” the statement adds.
The Government concludes by appealing to Cape Verdean visitors to avoid such illegal behaviour, so that, through a substantial reduction in the overstay rate, Cape Verde may be removed from the list of affected countries in a future evaluation under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security report.
On Tuesday, the U.S. administration included Cape Verde and Angola on a list of 38 countries—which already included Guinea-Bissau and São Tomé and Príncipe—whose citizens travelling for business or tourism (B1/B2 visas) will be required to post a bond of up to $15,000 (approximately €12,800).
The United States is one of the main destinations for the Cape Verdean diaspora, in a year when the archipelago will compete, for the first time, in a Football World Cup hosted on U.S. soil.
U.S. President Donald Trump had previously ordered a total ban on entry into the United States for citizens of several countries, including Afghanistan, Haiti, Iran, Syria, Sudan and Somalia, among others.
Source: Lusa
