It’s Not a Right: U.S. Responds to Wole Soyinka’s Visa Revocation

The United States Embassy in Lagos has reacted to the revocation of the visa of Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka.

Naija News reports that the renowned writer, during a media parley on Tuesday in Lagos, announced the revocation of his B1/B2 visa by the US Embassy.

The 91-year-old told journalists at Kongi’s Harvest, Freedom Park, that he should not be expected in the US by anyone, as he currently has no visa.

Speaking on the development, the US consulate explained that visas granted by the country to foreign nationals are based on privilege, not a right.

The consulate made the clarification on Thursday in response to an inquiry from Punch regarding the revocation of Soyinka’s visa.

In an email response to the aforementioned publication, the Consulate noted that it could not discuss the details of the particular visa for confidentiality reasons.

“Under U.S. law, visa records are generally confidential. We will not discuss the details of this individual visa case,” the Public Diplomacy Officer, US Department of State, US Consulate General, Lagos, Julia McKay, said.

McKay added that visas could be revoked at any time at the discretion of the US government, noting that they are a privilege.

“Visas are a privilege, not a right. Every country, including the United States, can determine who enters its borders. Visas may be revoked at any time, at the discretion of the U.S. government, whenever circumstances warrant,” she said.