Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The U.S. Embassy in Banjul has announced new, stricter requirements for visa applicants, warning that overstaying a U.S. visa could lead to a permanent ban from entering the country.
In a recent advisory, the embassy stressed that consular officers now have full access to applicants’ immigration histories and will enforce penalties without exceptions.
“There is no such thing as an ‘honest mistake’ when it comes to visa compliance,” the embassy stated, adding that it is solely the responsibility of visa holders to follow the terms of their visas.
As part of its latest measures, the embassy also revealed that all applicants for student (F and M) and exchange visitor (J) visas must now set their social media accounts to “public” during the visa application process.
This new directive took effect immediately and is already being applied in Banjul and other U.S. embassies worldwide.
Many observers see the move as part of a broader immigration crackdown under President Donald Trump, who has returned to the White House with a renewed focus on restricting migration.
The embassy explained that the requirement is in line with a presidential proclamation issued on June 9, 2025, which suspends or limits entry and visa issuance for nationals of certain unspecified countries deemed security risks.
While the official justification centers on national security and counterterrorism, critics argue that such policies are designed to curtail immigration by less overt means. Some immigration analysts have warned that making social media vetting mandatory could disproportionately affect applicants from developing countries, including The Gambia.
“This policy is about much more than just security,” one critic said. “It’s about building digital barriers that quietly exclude certain categories of people.”
The move marks a new phase in President Trump’s immigration strategy, signaling tougher scrutiny of foreign nationals and expanding the use of personal data in visa decisions.
Analysts warn that the directive could deter many potential applicants, particularly young students and scholars, who now face not only higher scrutiny but also the risk of long-term immigration consequences for any missteps.
