The United States Embassy in Nairobi has warned visa applicants against submitting fake documents during applications.
In a statement on Wednesday, July 23, the embassy said submitting fake documents or engaging in visa fraud will lead to a lifetime ban from entering the US.
In addition, the embassy warned that it will pursue criminal charges to those found engaging in visa fraud and bringing in illegal aliens.
"U.S. government interagency efforts combat fraud and will end illegal immigration. Those who commit visa fraud will be banned from the United States for life.
"A nation without borders is not a nation. We will pursue criminal charges against those who engage in visa fraud and those who bring in and harbor illegal aliens," the statement read.
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This comes a month after the US State Department announced enhanced visa screening for foreign students seeking to study in America.
In a statement dated Thursday, June 19, the US Department stated that the enhanced screening would extend to the social media of visa applicants.
To facilitate the thorough screening, visa applicants will be required to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media profiles to public.
"We use all available information in our visa screening and vetting to identify visa applicants who are inadmissible to the United States, including those who pose a threat to US national security.
"Under new guidance, we will conduct a comprehensive and thorough vetting, including online presence, of all student and exchange visitor applicants in the F, M, and J nonimmigrant classifications," read the statement.
The State Department explained that the move was aimed at ensuring that the visas are only awarded to individuals who do not pose a threat to the safety of American citizens.
"The United States must be vigilant during the visa issuance process to ensure that those applying for admission into the United States do not intend to harm Americans and our national interests, and that all applicants credibly establish their eligibility for the visa sought, including that they intend to engage in activities consistent with the terms for their admission," the statement added.
